GENEVA (AP) Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says Europe should not be ashamed of its wealth and importance in world football.
After being re-elected European Club Association chairman, Rummenigge tells The Associated Press "I believe European football worked hard to arrive at this stage."
Rummenigge "it's a fact, of course, that Europe is by far the most important continent in football."
Real Madrid was criticized for spending 100 million euros ($132 million) on Tottenham winger Gareth Bale during a Spanish economic downturn.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter noted it was "definitely a European market," as FIFA calculated clubs exchanged $3.367 billion in transfers this year.
