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Karl-Heinz Rummenigge slams Fifa president Sepp Blatter
The 56-year-old says the head of world football's governing body is tainting the game's reputation and went on to compare the Germany national team to the Netherlands
03-Feb-2012 8:00:51 PM
By Enis Koylu
Getty Images
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has hit out at Fifa president Sepp Blatter, accusing the Swiss official of tainting the image of the game.
Blatter's re-election as the governing body's boss last year came amid allegations of corruption against several top ranking Fifa officials and Rummenigge believes the claims have been detrimental to football.
"Sepp Blatter's image is considered questionable. When you have faced so many allegations of corruption in Fifa in recent years, then as its chief, you have to make sure the swamp is drained," Rummenigge told Bild.
"The corruption in Zurich does not make our sport look good."
The 56-year-old went on to compare the Germany national team to the famous Dutch side of the 1970s who reached two consecutive World Cup finals by playing 'total' football, only to fail to clear the last hurdle.
"They remind me a little bit of the Netherlands. They have always played beautiful, and in the end, went out in beauty. To win a great title, you always need a bit of luck."
Finally, Rummenigge praised his club's title rivals Borussia Dortmund, saying that the Ruhr area outfit have done well to recover from severe financial problems.
"After their near-bankruptcy, they have done a very good job. Dortmund have to be reckoned with in the next few years.
"They will try to chip away at us for sure. Schalke will also do the same."
Both Borussia Dortmund and Schalke sit level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Blatter's re-election as the governing body's boss last year came amid allegations of corruption against several top ranking Fifa officials and Rummenigge believes the claims have been detrimental to football.
"Sepp Blatter's image is considered questionable. When you have faced so many allegations of corruption in Fifa in recent years, then as its chief, you have to make sure the swamp is drained," Rummenigge told Bild.
"The corruption in Zurich does not make our sport look good."
The 56-year-old went on to compare the Germany national team to the famous Dutch side of the 1970s who reached two consecutive World Cup finals by playing 'total' football, only to fail to clear the last hurdle.
"They remind me a little bit of the Netherlands. They have always played beautiful, and in the end, went out in beauty. To win a great title, you always need a bit of luck."
Finally, Rummenigge praised his club's title rivals Borussia Dortmund, saying that the Ruhr area outfit have done well to recover from severe financial problems.
"After their near-bankruptcy, they have done a very good job. Dortmund have to be reckoned with in the next few years.
"They will try to chip away at us for sure. Schalke will also do the same."
Both Borussia Dortmund and Schalke sit level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table.
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