Karl-Heinz Rummenigge once again criticized the 50+1 rule. The former CEO of FC Bayern Munich demands in his column for the picture on sunday a debate that is “absolutely necessary”.
With a view to the competitiveness and finances of the Bundesliga compared to the Premier League, Rummenigge spoke out in favor of a “serious and less emotional discussion about the 50+1 rule”.
The rule that investors or financiers are not allowed to take over the majority in a club does not exist in England. According to the 66-year-old, every club should decide for themselves. “We should at least be able to debate this possibility in order to make the Bundesliga more attractive and exciting,” said Rummenigge.
The Bundesliga is lagging behind financially, Rummenigge criticized: “Especially in foreign TV marketing, the English are pulling away from everyone.” In England, clubs would earn 4.8 billion euros in three years from TV rights alone. The German clubs, however, “only” 160 million euros annually.
Because abroad “only the top and not who is relegated in Germany” would be of interest. With the abolition of the much-discussed rule, there could be another more interesting fight at the top: “Especially the somewhat battered traditional clubs, some of which play in the second and third leagues today, would have the opportunity to regain sporting importance.”
Rummenigge: Less tradition, more innovation”
At the same time, he made the new league boss Donata Hopfen and the new DFL supervisory board chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke responsible. Both would have to find ways “to shape the Bundesliga in such a way that it is in demand again abroad”. Otherwise “the Bundesliga will no longer be able to keep up with the Premier League on the transfer market. Then at some point no top stars will play here anymore,” warned Rummenigge.
Rummenigge had questioned the 50+1 rule several times in the past. Now those responsible called on those responsible to have the courage “to afford a little less tradition and to dare more innovation”.
