Union's Zingler decries hypocrisy in football investor debate

Union Berlin President Dirk Zingler has sharply criticized Germany's position on investor involvement in football, labeling it hypocritical.

“

This is a discussion that cannot be surpassed in hypocrisy.

"This is a discussion that cannot be surpassed in hypocrisy," Zingler stated during a media session at the team's training camp in Irdning, Austria. The 61-year-old pointed to the German league's own past efforts to bring in investors for marketing its rights, suggesting the current criticism of FIFA's now-withdrawn investor model is inconsistent. "I can remember that the league wanted to bring investors into marketing its rights two or three years ago. So, essentially, the same model for their game operations: FIFA only does the World Cup, the league does the league."

“

I can remember that the league wanted to bring investors into marketing its rights two or three years ago. So, essentially, the same model for their game operations: FIFA only does the World Cup, the league does the league.

Zingler feels Germany lacks a clear, independent stance and should avoid lecturing other football bodies. He criticized the "ideological outrage," despite his own reservations about FIFA President Gianni Infantino and opposition to the Super League. "I already said back then, these monsters must die. For me, the entire development is, as I said, unsurpassable in hypocrisy," he explained. He believes such trends are unstoppable, as other sports increasingly rely on external investors.

“

I already said back then, these monsters must die. For me, the entire development is, as I said, unsurpassable in hypocrisy.

However, Zingler suggested that meaningful change would require addressing issues within Germany's own league first. He specifically targeted RB Leipzig, referencing the club's recent transfer of player Youssouf Diomande to Real Madrid for a reported 125 million euros, which led to the creation of a new football company to promote the product. "If we in Germany lecture others, we should first sweep our own doorstep," Zingler asserted. He believes that while "old football romantics" may protest, they cannot halt the broader trend of commercialization in sports.

“

If we in Germany lecture others, we should first sweep our own doorstep.