Debate like in Spain & Italy
©IMAGO
In the discussion about possible Bundesliga games abroad, long-time national team manager Oliver Bierhoff would like to see more openness from the German Football League. “If you want to win new markets or increase your sales, then you probably won’t be able to do anything big in your own country. In isolated cases, I think you can do that,” said Bierhoff at a joint event organized by “Bild” and the North American football league NFL.
Most recently, UEFA’s approval for two league games abroad caused a stir. The Spanish LaLiga game between FC Villarreal and FC Barcelona in Miami, originally scheduled for December, has been canceled. The Italian Serie A wants to continue playing its game between AC Milan and Como 1907 in Perth (Australia) in February. DFL managing director Dr. Marc Lenz had clearly stated that such a scenario would not happen in the Bundesliga.
In Bierhoff’s opinion, the “hunger” of foreign fans should not be underestimated. “They want to see their stars. In the MLS there are flights that last six hours. Of course it’s difficult in the busy football calendar, but I generally wouldn’t object to it at first.”
Hainer: “The Bundesliga belongs to Germany”
Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer and Managing Director Hans-Joachim Watzke of Borussia Dortmund see things differently. “To be honest, I don’t see that we would play a championship game abroad and I don’t want that either,” said DFL Supervisory Board Chairman Watzke. Germany has its limits when it comes to marketing. And Hainer also made it clear: “The Bundesliga belongs to Germany. We have an incredibly large fan base here, an incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable football audience – and of course they want the Bundesliga teams to play at home.”