Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has launched a scathing attack on Premier League clubs, claiming that they are guilty of 'kidnapping' young players from around the world.
The controversial former West Germany forward is known for his outspoken views, alsoslating Manchester United in the summerfor their poor treatment of veteran midfielderBastian Schweinsteiger.
And now he has gone one further, claiming that English clubs 'kidnap' young talent at just 10 or 11-years-old.
We don't want to bring some 10 or 11-year-old to Munich like the English do," he said, as quoted inthe Sun.You could almost speak of kidnapping with them and I would have moral reservations about that.�
The 61-year-old chairman went on to discuss Bayern's ground-breaking academy, which he claims solely focuses on players from Germany and Bavaria.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: English clubs effectively ˜kidnapping' young players https://t.co/m0QFrqd3NB
He added:"A good age to come to Bayern is 14. Our priority will certainly be Germany and Bavaria.
Our future talented players will much rather come from Rosenheim than Rio.�
Bayern have been heralded in recent seasons for their development of Germany's top stars includingThomas Muller,Philipp Lahm and Man Utd'sBastian Schweinsteiger, all of whom were instrumental in Germany's World Cup winning side of 2014.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have hit a slight road bump following a bright start to the season, they have now drawn consecutive games againstFC Cologne andEintracht Frankfurt, reducing their lead at the top of the table to just two points.