Kahn in an important committee: Champions League final soon no longer in Europe?
Created: 09/17/2022, 13:17
By: Stefan Schmid
UEFA wants to further expand its market.
The holding of the Champions League final in the USA is also in the room.
Munich – On the way to the Champions League title, FC Bayern could soon end up in the USA.
According to a recent report, officials are considering not allowing the final to take place on European soil.
Financial profits are said to be the main drive for such considerations, to the detriment of the fans.
The European Club Association (ECA), in which Oliver Kahn occupies an important position, among others, is said to be in favor of it.
UEFA: Market expansion possible in 2026 at the earliest
Plans for UEFA not being averse to hosting the Champions League final in the United States have been published by Spanish newspaper
as
.
It would be the first time the premier class has left Europe for a final.
Much to the chagrin of the fans, who would have to pay a significantly higher price for travel to attend their teams' finals.
Oliver Kahn is Vice President of the European Club Association.
© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann / SVEN SIMON
However, the interests of the fans do not seem to be the priority for those responsible at UEFA, but rather the financial aspect that would go hand in hand with such a measure.
TV money and income from various sponsors would probably increase significantly if the final were moved to the USA.
However, this scenario could come true for the 2026 final at the earliest, because the venues are already fixed by then.
Incidentally, in 2025 the venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Also Kahn advocacy group ECA for expansion
With the European Club Association, UEFA has a strong ally at its side.
So it can be heard that the lobbyists of the clubs will not put any obstacles in the way of an expansion of the market.
A Vice-Chairman in the management of the ECA is Bavarian Board Member Oliver Kahn.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi of Paris St. Germain is currently the chair.
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The ECA wants to meet in Istanbul next week and could possibly already hold initial talks there about awarding the Champions League final to the USA.
At the moment, Julian Nagelsmann's thoughts are more about the current season in the Champions League, which Bayern have been able to design flawlessly so far thanks to a clever move by the coach.
(sh)