Former Germany striker Rudi Voeller yesterday criticised UEFA president Michel Platini for his decision to move the Champions League final from Wednesday to Saturday.

Last season’s final in Madrid between Inter and Bayern Munich, won by the former 2-0, was the first time Europe’s top domestic match has been held on a Saturday and the 2011 final will be held at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 28.

But Voeller, Bayer Leverkusen’s director of sport, says moving the final from a Wednesday to a Saturday is a mistake, as far as Europe’s domestic leagues are concerned.

“It is a crime against the national leagues. All the clubs have to twiddle their thumbs for almost two weeks, because of the two teams who will contest the Champions League final,” Voeller told the Cologne Express newspaper.

“It is absurd. It’s the biggest mistake in terms of league football.”

Platini had the idea to shift the final to a Saturday so that younger fans could watch the game. The 2011 Bundesliga season is set to finish on May 14, two weeks before the Champions League final on May 28.

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