Rummenigge hits out at Fifa, calls for revolution
Karl Heinz Rummenigge said he was ready for a revolution at Fifa which, according to the former West Germany captain, is run by people who are not clean. Dhiman Sarkar reports.
Karl Heinz Rummenigge said he was ready for a revolution at Fifa which, according to the former West Germany captain, is run by people who are not clean.
“It is a nice game but is decided by people who are corrupt,” he said.
“I am not ready to accept the system as it is and I am not alone. I am asking for transparency, balance and democracy in governing bodies like Fifa and UEFA (Europe’s apex body),” said Rummenigge, also Bayern Munich’s chairman of the board, while speaking to a select group of world media.
Fifa a cash machine
Rummenigge said he was certain those running it won’t change things.
“Fifa is a cash money machine that is growing World Cup by World Cup. For those at Fifa, things like transparency don’t matter. Only financial matters do.”
He said he was not just speaking as the Bayern chairman but also as the head of the European Clubs’ Association (ECA), which will discuss this at a general assembly on September 5 and 6.
“There are 200 clubs in this organisation and we are unhappy with the developments. Clubs are the root of all football, but no club is involved in the decision-making process at Fifa and UEFA.”
Rummenigge said it was time European clubs, who according to him gave 75% of the players at the last World Cup, took up the case of club football with Fifa.
“It is easier for them than Asian, African or South American clubs.” Rummenigge said clubs agreed to Fifa’s proposal to cut out the Champions League second phase to help ease fixture congestion.
“Each club lost at least 10 million euros but we accepted it as a favour to the players. And now we find those dates have
been given for international friendlies.”
Rummenigge clarified that as a player, he was clear that the most important team for any country was the national team.
“The only thing I ask of governing bodies is to balance the calendar. Our players are playing too many games, there is no rest.”
