Borussia Dortmund has issued an official statement regarding FIFA's recent series of commercialization activities.
Hans-Joachim Watzke (President of Borussia Dortmund, President of the Bundesliga, First Vice President of the German Football Association, and Vice President of UEFA) stated: "Many in European football view FIFA's plans as an open attack on football. I agree with that view. This has crossed a line. There is a strong consensus among member associations on this, and I have had several discussions with Ceferin and other colleagues over the past few days, which makes this very clear to me. At the World Cup, six European teams reached the quarterfinals, and three made it to the semifinals. If European football unites against these plans, it will carry significant weight."
Carsten Kramer (a spokesperson for Borussia Dortmund's management) said: "I completely fail to understand why FIFA would want to take this step. I don't understand the motivation behind these plans. Not only my first impression, but the initial feedback I received was also completely negative. Why does FIFA have to reinvent the wheel? In my opinion, this proposal is simply not a good idea."
