Wiegand: "We trust our sources"
Do German soccer experts earn millions? Following harsh criticism of Kress Pro’s investigation, Editor-in-Chief Wiegand is now calling on ARD and ZDF to disclose the contracts.
In response, both ARD and Oliver Kahn harshly criticized the magazine. ARD spoke of "almost deliberate malice", Kahn described the research as a "blatant false report" and appealed to the journalistic responsibility of the media.
On Thursday, the reaction from the Kress camp. Kress Pro editor-in-chief Markus Wiegand demands in a commentary ARD and ZDF to disclose the contracts. Because he stands by the figures he published. "We have researched the story to the best of our knowledge and belief and trust our sources."
Also Kress.de editor-in-chief Bülend Ürük criticizes the reaction of public broadcasters to the research. "When things get tight, attack is often the best defense". Broadcasters, directors and their enforcers in the sports editorial offices had allowed themselves to be "infected by the frenzy of figures for broadcasting rights, million-dollar salaries for kickers and an almost unstoppable commercialization of football".
The situation in Switzerland is somewhat more transparent - and far less spectacular. Opposite Tagesanzeiger.ch SRF studio expert Andy Egli makes no secret of his salary: "I receive 2,000 francs per studio session, including expenses and social security contributions. For a whole day with three European Championship matches, I got 3,000 francs, for a day with two matches 2,500 francs." Another pundit, who does not wish to be named, is also not interested in his remuneration being discussed in the media: "It's nobody's business what I get for a fee. There is a certain amount for a game that everyone has to negotiate personally with SRF." (hae)
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