Bayern apologise as followers bash plutocrat PSG prez

Bayern Munich apologised to Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after the German membership’s followers displayed a banner that personally attacked him throughout Tuesday’s Champions League sport between the 2 groups on the Allianz Area.

The banner questioned how Qatari Al-Khelaifi may very well be a membership proprietor, a UEFA Govt Committee member, the chairman of the European Membership Affiliation and a tv rights holder as beIN chairman.

It known as him “plutocratic” and used an expletive.

“FC Bayern want to apologise when its opponents and their representatives in its stadium really feel personally attacked on this method and tone, and are offended consequently,” Bayern stated in an announcement.

“The membership want to make it clear that these banners weren’t authorised by FC Bayern and don’t mirror its stance. They don’t seem to be in line with the nice and long-standing relationship between the 2 golf equipment.

“The tone of those banners additionally goes in opposition to the type of FC Bayern and the respectful relationship the membership has with its worldwide companions.”

Bayern beat PSG 1-0 because of Kim Min-Jae‘s objective whereas the French aspect had been decreased to 10 males when Ousmane Dembélé was despatched off simply earlier than the hour mark.

The 51-year-old Al-Khelaifi is unpopular among the many Bayern followers for his affect on European soccer as chairman of the European Membership Affiliation, Qatar Sports activities Investments — the proprietor of PSG — and the Qatari state-owned beIN media group. He additionally joined UEFA’s government committee in 2019.

Al-Khelaifi has lengthy drawn scrutiny for obvious conflicts of curiosity due to his numerous roles. The ECA has an enormous affect on shaping the Champions League’s taking part in format and business technique, whereas beIN is likely one of the competitors’s main broadcast companions.

In 2022, UEFA left Al-Khelaifi unpunished regardless of discovering PSG responsible of misconduct for confrontations with match officers after dropping within the Champions League. There have been heated scenes involving Al-Khelaifi and then-PSG sporting director Leonardo after a defeat to Real Madrid. UEFA sanctioned Leonardo, however didn’t cite Al-Khelaifi in its disciplinary assertion, nor did it say why.

Al-Khelaifi, a former tennis skilled, is a longtime pal of Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, an Worldwide Olympic Committee member who’s influential in world sports activities.

Bayern followers had lengthy protested in opposition to their very own membership’s sponsorship offers with Qatar, which was accused of human rights abuses earlier than it hosted the 2022 World Cup. The followers ultimately bought their means final 12 months when Bayern’s long-running sponsorship cope with Qatar Airways was not renewed.

Data from Reuters and The Related Press was used on this story.