Euro Super League proposal risks driving fans away, warns Rummenigge
KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has set his face against promoters of a European Super League, a concept whose profile has been revived amid concerns about clubs’ financial troubles after the eruption of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rummenigge, who will hand over later this year to Oliver Kahn as Bayern Munich chairman, was reviewing his administrative career in an interview with local media.
Challenged about a Super League, he said: “If I had to decide today then I would speak against it.
“A so-called super league would do serious damage to the national leagues. That is why I have my reservations. If the competitive system changed then I think many fans would have trouble continuing to identify with football.”
Rummenigge pointed the finger of responsibility to “the millionaire losses of the big clubs in Spain and Italy.”
He added: “I know that the big clubs in southern Europe are particularly interested in it . The big clubs in Italy and Spain in particular have some losses in the three-digit million range. Of course, they think about where there is growth in the future and they believe a Super League would generate financial growth and interest.”
European federation UEFA is currently preparing a structural reorganisation of the Champions League system and in discussions with representatives of both the European clubs and leagues.
World club draw
Bayern Munich will be favourites to win the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar next month. The unloved tournament was postponed from December because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The draw, undertaken at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, matched Tigres UANL and Ulsan Hyundai FC in the first game on February 4 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Local club Al-Duhail SC and Egypt’s African champions Al Ahly will feature in the second match at Education City Stadium.
In the semi-finals Tigres or Ulsan will face the winners of South America’s Copa Libertadores – Santos or Palmeiras – with Bayern facing Al-Duhail or Al Ahly.
The final is scheduled for Education City Stadium on February 11.
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