bastian
Feb 11 2005, 11:44 PM
Hoeness slams German plans
by Chris Ives & Thomas Zeh - created on 11 Feb 2005
Bayern Munich's general manager Uli Hoeness has vehemently opposed plans to extend the Bundesliga from 18 to 20 clubs.
Eintracht Frankfurt boss Heribert Bruchhagen submitted his suggestion that two extra clubs be admitted to the 18-team Bundesliga in 2006 at a meeting of all 36 professional clubs in Dusseldorf this week.
The German Football League (DFL) have set up a committee which will discuss the plans over the next months, but Bayern are prepared to use all their influence to stop the enlargement.
"We'll do our outmost to make sure that these plans won't become a reality as this would be a step back into medieval times," fumed Hoeness, who fears that his players' form will struggle should they be forced to play more games.
"Foreign leagues are doing everything possible to open up world-wide markets for their clubs, whilst we're thinking of increasing the league by two clubs - a move that would only make our league weaker."
From Europe's top-five leagues, the Bundesliga is the only one
with 18 teams, while Spain, England, Italy and France all have 20 clubs competing for the national title.
by Chris Ives & Thomas Zeh - created on 11 Feb 2005
Bayern Munich's general manager Uli Hoeness has vehemently opposed plans to extend the Bundesliga from 18 to 20 clubs.
Eintracht Frankfurt boss Heribert Bruchhagen submitted his suggestion that two extra clubs be admitted to the 18-team Bundesliga in 2006 at a meeting of all 36 professional clubs in Dusseldorf this week.
The German Football League (DFL) have set up a committee which will discuss the plans over the next months, but Bayern are prepared to use all their influence to stop the enlargement.
"We'll do our outmost to make sure that these plans won't become a reality as this would be a step back into medieval times," fumed Hoeness, who fears that his players' form will struggle should they be forced to play more games.
"Foreign leagues are doing everything possible to open up world-wide markets for their clubs, whilst we're thinking of increasing the league by two clubs - a move that would only make our league weaker."
From Europe's top-five leagues, the Bundesliga is the only one
with 18 teams, while Spain, England, Italy and France all have 20 clubs competing for the national title.