This rule exists only in Germany, yet it speaks to a spirit that fits perfectly with the European sports model: 50+1 maintains a balance; on the one hand it allows for investment, on the other it guarantees participation.
The German rule known as 50+1 maintains a balance by allowing investment while guaranteeing participation, with the Bundesliga and its member-controlled controlling stake showing the way forward.
Comparing operational styles, Lahm observed that City did not operate like Paris Saint-Germain did in the era before Luis Enrique, and mentioned that in Germany, City signed players from Hamburg, Frankfurt and Wolfsburg.
Lahm noted that while he never had an issue with Manchester City as a player and columnist, and acknowledged that City behaved much like other top clubs, their rule-breaking deserves to be punished.
Lahm emphasized that stadiums and football clubs can remain the final places where people gather and society debates its issues only if the elite and grassroots stay connected and the public is involved.
Describing punishments for rule-breaking in Manchester and at Fifa as a good thing, Lahm added that punishments for such behavior are a positive development.
Former player and columnist Philipp Lahm stated that football must not be detached from its roots, pointing to Manchester City as an example of such a separation.
Manchester City continue to deny wrongdoing and are appealing against the decision.
The stadium and football clubs can remain the final places where people gather and society debates its issues only if the elite and the grassroots stay connected, and the public is involved in the process.
From the outside, City fundamentally did not do much differently from the other 10 or so top European clubs.