By Andrew Warshaw
October 5 – The boss of German champions Borussia Dortmund wants Champions League rivals Manchester City thrown out of the competition because of what he claims is their unfair financial advantage.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke says the English Premier League champions and others like them who rely on sugar daddy benefactors to “pump crazy money” into their clubs should be disqualified under UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules.
Watzke (pictured below) says UEFA’s rules are under threat if the organisation fails to resolve what he terms as back-door sponsorship which serves as a loophole.
“UEFA must find the thin line between sponsorship and excessive back-door funding – they must show strength to expel big clubs,” he was quoted as saying.
Watzke says the Abu Dhabi United Group, owned by Sheikh Mansour, should not be allowed to throw unlimited amounts of cash at City.
He also gave the example of Malaga, bankrolled by Qatar but now in dire financial straits amid reports of unpaid wages and the Spanish club being put up for sale.
“No tycoon should be allowed to pump crazy money into a club with sponsorship from five companies he controls,” Watzke insisted.
“If that happens, Financial Fair Play will fail.”
The 53-year-old said the Bundesliga champions would never sacrifice their financial model in favour of an overseas tycoon.
Current rules in the Bundesliga stipulate all teams must be at least 51 per cent owned by club members, ruling out majority control by one individual.
“I would not even welcome him [Mansour],” said Watzke.
“What if the Sheikh, as shown by Malaga, lost interest?
“Then it becomes critical.”
Dortmund drew 1-1 at City this week but deserved to win comfortably.
“The fact is that the Bundesliga has caught up considerably, thanks to their sound banking practices,” Watzke added.
“This will eventually be expressed by [winning] results.”
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