Salary caps 'unavoidable' as Borussia Dortmund chief says finances will 'get more out of hand' as football 'only too happy' to accept Saudi Arabian money

Watzke has declared that salary caps in European football are "unavoidable" to prevent the sport's finances from spiralling further out of control. In an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau, the influential executive also gave a frank assessment of Saudi Arabian investment in the game.

Watzke's comments highlight the growing concern among Europe's top administrators regarding the financial sustainability of modern football. He pointed to the Premier League as an example, noting that "hardly any club there makes a profit despite their huge budgets." His remarks also addressed the increasing influence of Gulf state money, arguing that football is no different from other major industries in its willingness to accept such investment.

Cash from Saudi Arabia helped fund the inaugural edition of the revamped Club World Cup this summer and the country is set to host the World Cup in 2034. It will be the second World Cup to be held in the Middle East, just 12 years after the 2022 edition in Qatar. 

On the need for financial controls, Watzke stated: "Ultimately, a salary cap will be unavoidable. [Without it] everything will get even more out of hand. At some point, they'll notice this in England, too. Because, as far as I know, hardly any club there makes a profit despite their huge budgets."

Regarding investment from the Gulf, he added: "We're deluding ourselves: As long as large DAX-listed companies are happy to involve the Saudis in their capital increases, we shouldn't paint the world as more beautiful than it actually is. Our industry is only too happy to accept money from the Gulf States."

As a senior figure at both Borussia Dortmund and the German Football League (DFL), Watzke's powerful voice adds significant weight to the ongoing debate around financial regulation. While the implementation of a pan-European salary cap faces considerable hurdles, his comments will intensify discussions within UEFA and among the continent's top leagues as they continue to search for mechanisms to ensure long-term financial stability.