MUNICH: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern Munich’s board president, has blamed players demanding “increasingly higher salaries” for the increasing number of matches in the football calendar.

The ex-Germany and Bayern captain, in an interview with the German sports magazine Kicker, stressed that escalating pay rates forced “clubs to generate income ” that is also “increasing”, which, in his opinion, comes from playing “more matches”.

“The players and their advisors have fallen into this trap ,” said Rummenigge, adding that “it would be good if all those involved sat down at the table and discussed without emotion what mechanisms” they need “to achieve more serious and rational times, also in business.”

Rummenigge, like Bayern ceo Jan-Christian Dreesen last week, expressed his support for the expanded Club World Cup which is at the heart of latest concerns. He said: “This tournament, which will be held in this form for the first time next year, will inspire people. It will be a good tournament, I am convinced. And it only takes place every four years, so you should not forget that.”

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