Former Bayern Munich chief says Germany should get rid of 50+1 rule

Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says that the Bundesliga needs to end the 50+1 rule, in order to keep up with the Premier League's wealth.

The money in England's top tier has become a bigger and bigger issue for the rest of Europe in recent years, with the spending power in the league far outweighing that of the rest of the 'big five.'

It's the reason that teams such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus tried to look after themselves with attempts to set up the European Super League.

That issue sparked a debate between Jamie Carragher and Guillem Balague on Thursday night, following the Europa League game between Barca and Manchester United.

Discussions about the riches of clubs in England could be about to get a new subject, with United's ownership currently up for grabs, for billions.

It looks like it could be Qatari billionaires who purchase the club and that could mean the ability to compete with the likes of Manchester City and PSG.

That could never happen to Bayern with Germany's current rules, which dictate that the club's members must own 50% of shares plus one share, in order to keep a majority stake, and not allow a person or company own a majority of a club.

Hoeness believes that the rule should be scrapped, "We at Bayern Munich would be totally in favor of the 50+1 rule falling because we are totally falling behind internationally," the 71-year-old said via Bild.

"In England, every first or second division club is linked to a big company, a country, an oligarch or whatever.

"That's why they are quite far ahead of us internationally.

"I am in favor of each club making its own decisions. This has nothing to do with Bayern Munich. It's about giving the other clubs the opportunity to be competitive with FC Bayern."

Bayern with the Bundesliga trophy. Image: Alamy

Bayern have won the Bundesliga title for the past 10 years in-a-row and 17 times since the turn of the century, making them the most dominant team domestically in any of the top five leagues in that period.

There's no doubt that Germany's top tier could be more competitive if potential owners were allowed to take up more shares and become majority shareholders.

It would also likely help Hoesness' own side to become more competitive with some of the richer clubs in the Champions League.

Certainly some fans in England would rather that they were allowed to have more say, especially those Manchester United fans desperate for the end of the Glazer regime.