By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Despite the perfect start to the 2017/2018 Bundesliga season and immediate success of new signing Andrej Yarmolenko, Borussia Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke is concerned about the league's international standing.
"German clubs have to become more successful in international competitions so that we can get more points for the international ranking. The contributions by Bayern Munch and Borussia Dortmund aren't enough to secure success on the international stage and defend our position in the UEFA ranking," Watzke stressed.
Due to poor results in the Champions League and the Europa League, the Bundesliga has dropped down from second to third behind leaders Spain and England in the UEFA ranking. Watzke fears that, if the trend continues, the country may lose one of its four starting places for the Champions League and one for the Europa League.
German clubs participating in the Europa League should bear in mind that their results contribute towards Germany's interests in the ranking and in the international markets.
As for the rising transfer fees, Watzke demanded action from the European federation which has to find greater control over the situation. Watzke says he is aware of the problems to control large transfer fees and club's every increasing income. "We have to find the means to make it harder to disobey rules than is currently the case," he insisted.
In the case of Paris St Germain, Qatar holds so many shares in different companies that it is all easy for them to get support for the club and circumnavigate financial fair play.
If clubs do not comply to financial fair play, Watzke is demanding the deduction of points won in international competitions. "It doesn't make sense to sanction clubs with fines. Many of them laugh about fines." Football has to find its way to deal with the problems and not turn to politics.
Watzke fears the growing power of English and Spanish clubs. "In the last years England have made some mistakes regarding their squad structure, but they have improved and learned a lot," Watzke said in a recent interview.
"It is getting harder and more difficult for German clubs having to face Premier League sides, and Spanish clubs too," Watzke commented. The Dortmund CEO called clubs like Celta Vigo, Villareal, FC Valencia and FC Sevilla "result machines".
Watzke expressed his concern about the growing competition posed by countries that so far seemed to be way behind the Bundesliga's potential. "It causes a huge problem for Germany in terms of the UEFA ranking , especially when our clubs lose against countries with far fewer possibilities, infrastructure and financial economic power," emphasized Dortmund's boss.
Watzke said he is pleased with his side's performance this season as the "Yellow and Blacks" are topping the table without conceding a goal in five league games. He is also happy about Andrej Yarmolenko, the replacement for Ousmane Dembele, who joined Barcelona for 140 million euro. "His power is enriching our game and gives the coach more options. You don't expect a player to make such an instant impression," Watzke commented.
