Despite growing global calls for gender equity in sports, German professional football remains firmly entrenched as a male-dominated industry, according to a revealing new governance study.

The research highlights a glaring leadership imbalance across the country's top leagues, finding that a mere seven clubs feature women in upper management or executive boardrooms.

Advocates and reform groups are now urging federations and club owners to dismantle long-standing structural barriers and actively diversify their decision-making ranks.