Bayern Munich CEO demands stricter enforcement of FFP

Speaking at a Bundesliga summit in Cologne just hours after unveiling Jupp Heynckes as Bayern's new coach, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has demanded stricter punishments for clubs who infringe Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, including points deductions or even the confiscation of clubs' playing licenses.

"If UEFA implements financial fair flay properly, which is not happening at the moment, German football can remain competitive," he said, adding that fines have little effect on nouveau-riche clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

Financial fair play regulations were established by UEFA to prevent clubs spending more than they earn. Clubs who exceed spending over the course of several seasons are liable to be sanctioned.

"But the punishment has to hurt!" said Rummenigge. "Fines don't achieve anything."

Rummenigge, who was chairman of the European Club Association up until last month, insisted he was confident that UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin would take action to uphold and enforce financial fair play, saying: "We have a chance if UEFA is serious and imposes stringent punishments."

50+1 rethink

If not, Rummenigge said German football may have to rethink its 50+1 ownership law which states that a club must retain 50% plus one of the shares in its professional football division, ensuring that no single entity can obtain a majority stake.

"If [FFP] is not implemented seriously, we need to have a serious discussion about whether the clubs can retain decision-making power over 50+1," he said. "I am of the opinion that we can implement 50+1 better to increase clubs' financial potential."

mf/mds (sid, dpa)