Bundesliga want to extend halftime

Football clubs want to extend half time to sell more beer and sausages

Hard-up German football clubs have asked FIFA to extend half time by five minutes so they can sell more beer and sausages.

The Bundesliga want the current 15 minutes of half-time pumped up to 20, saying it will allow them to sell more to fans in the half time period.

Bayer Leverkusen business manager, Wolfgang Holzhaeuser, said: "We have found that 15 minutes for fans to buy a bratwurst or beer from vendors isn't always enough."

And Manfred Mueller, head of marketing for the current leaders of the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen, added: "We have to increase the length of time that fans are in the stadium.

"By adding an extra five minutes onto half time, profits in the catering section can be raised considerably. And it's not going to make a difference to the players' performances."

Extending the time is also seen as a good chance to cash in on increased advertising and would allow German television to air more commercials.

According to a study carried out by Schalke, the extra time could generate an extra £200,000 a year for the club.

The German FA's proposal will be presented to the International Football Association Board, which includes four FIFA members as well as representatives from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

great idea. the players can have a pint too and a rub down/ quick kip.

worst beer in munich = olympiastadion bleifrei.
best impromtu saviour = whisky/rum hipflask @ olympiastadion

i dunno, the oly stadium isn't the best place to be hanging around for 20 mins with no entertainment on a cold november afternoon...

slightly off topic... sorry bob...

does anybody know how far in advance can you buy bundesliga tickets? on the fcbayern sight you can buy until the start of march i think...

if i go in person somewheree can i buy further in advance??? i wanna take my bro to the fitba when he comes over at easter (april 10th)