Rene Fasel: “Club KHL China – why not?” – SPORT EXPRESS

IIHF President Rene Fasel before the final of the World Youth Championship Finland – Russia stressed that the CHL hockey is important to develop in new areas, reports from Helsinki correspondent “SE” Pavel Klimovitskiy. According to Fazel, the CHL do not try to penetrate the existing hockey markets in Europe.

– How do you feel about the possible expansion of the KHL in Europe and the establishment of new clubs in the major European capitals such as London or Paris?

– I think we should not try to penetrate the existing hockey markets like Sweden, Germany or Switzerland, is more important to develop hockey in new places. London, Paris, Milan same. Or China – where the Winter Olympics will be held in 2022, so there is a sense in creating a hockey team in the country. And given the political relations between Russia and China, why not? Especially since there are Russian clubs in the Far East, in Khabarovsk and Vladivostok, and it would make sense, and from a geographical point of view.

– Where do you see the task of the CHL in modern hockey?

– When I spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, I asked him about it. To which he replied that the purpose of the CHL – to make European hockey strong. We need a certain balance with the North American hockey. However, this does not mean that the KHL should be the same as the NHL. Part of the problem for the league are the size of government, the fact that Russia – the largest country in the world, and there are many clubs. In Europe, about 100 top clubs championships, and for conditional pan-European league need a maximum of about 40 teams. But there should not be such that three-quarters of them were Russian. There must be a balance between Russian and Russian clubs, and all of this requires a very serious discussion. I have no magic formula for how to translate this idea into reality.

– How do you see the future of the CHL, taking into account the economic situation in Russia and the fall of the ruble in recent years?

– You’re right, raising the financial issue. Of course, there are clubs like SKA CSKA, who have very large budgets, but there are far more poor team. It is necessary to align the financial capabilities of the teams, I think that 20 million euros – a maximum budget that may be at the club, given the potential profits. It is necessary to reduce the salaries players and make sure that it all works. Of course, they can not be too low, otherwise it will be impossible to keep a player in Europe. As with everything, you need a balance. I think that European clubs are able to provide a decent level of wages. In Switzerland budget teams from 15 to 20 million Swiss francs.

– is underway there any negotiations the CHL and the Champions League?

– Alas, in Champions League and too many clubs – 48. With eight Swedish and Finnish clubs, it can not be successful. Let will play only champions of their countries, say, 16 teams, then it will be a real Champions League. But if involved 48 clubs, call it as something different, but not the Champions League.

– Can I change the number of clubs in the Champions League for next season?

– It may be reduced, but I can not say anything definite.