'Bale signing unfair' - Hitzfeld criticises Real Madrid's lavish expenditure

By Keeghann Sinanan

Dec 12, 2013 11:13:00 PM

The 64-year-old chastised los Blancos' transfer policy and pleaded for clubs to live within their means, citing former team Bayern Munich as an example

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has attacked the “incomprehensible” spending of Real Madrid, whom he feels should have their lavish expenditure curbed because of their increasing debts.
The world-record €100 million signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham headlined a €181.5m spending spree for los Blancos during last summer’s transfer window, where Asier Illarramendi and Isco were also picked up on big money deals.
Though the sales of players like Mesut Ozil and Gonzalo Higuain helped to offset Madrid's net spending figure to around €67m, estimates in October put their debt at over half a billion euros.
The apparent financial disparity displayed by Bale's transfer does not sit well with Hitzfeld, who thought it unjust that Madrid were allowed to splash the cash in the market while harbouring such a large debt.
“It [Bale's signing] is incomprehensible. I do not understand how you have so much debt,” he protested to Futbol Tactico.
“It seems unfair that Madrid can buy these players with the amount of debt that they have. It’s not fair.”
Hitzfeld then went on to cite former club Bayern Munich as an example of balancing competitive success and financial prudence.
“[Bayern] are a healthy club, which have no debt,” he continued.
“They will only sign players according to their own economic potential. They have paid large sums, but have never owed money to any organisation or club.
“There is no comparison between the teams [Bayern and Madrid].” ---------------- goal.com