Bayern Munich leadership slams UEFA calendar; Hoeneß calls Nations League a "scam"
Uli Hoeneß says the long World Cup and a three-week midseason break have disrupted Bayern's rhythm and urges clubs to react.
Bayern Munich's leadership openly criticised UEFA's calendar after a home draw with Augsburg exposed early-season fragility in the German champions.
Hoeneß warns clubs must push back
Honorary president Uli Hoeneß said the compressed schedule around the World Cup and a mid-season three-week break have knocked Bayern off their stride and that clubs should protect their own interests.
"We suffer most from the long World Cup. Our players returned late, and then the Bundesliga started on 25 August. I think it is a catastrophe for UEFA to organise a three-week break, only four weeks after the season started. We had 18 players away, so it is entirely normal that we lose rhythm. Clubs finally have to stand up for themselves because we pay the players, not their national teams. And for a stupid competition like the Nations League. It is the scam of the year," Hoeneß said.
The comments follow Saturday's 1-1 draw with Augsburg, a result that highlighted recurring dips in form since the season began. Hoeneß singled out the scheduling choices as a root cause rather than the squad itself.
Bayern's fixture list remains demanding: the club faces Viking and RB Leipzig in quick succession next week, meaning limited time to reset before crucial matches.
Photo: press material from the event
