Bayern Munich Apologized to Paris Saint Germain President Nasser Al-Khalifa has responded after the German club’s fans displayed a banner that personally attacked him during the Champions League match between the two teams at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday.
The banner questioned how Qatari Al-Khalifi could own the television rights as a club owner, member of UEFA’s executive committee, chairman of the European Club Association and chairman of BIN.
He called it “plutocratic” and used an expletive.
“FC Bayern apologizes when its opponents and their representatives in its stadium feel personally attacked in this manner and tone, and are offended as a result,” Bayern said in a statement. ”
“The club wishes to clarify that these banners were not authorized by FC Bayern and do not reflect its position. They do not take into account the good and long-standing relationship between the two clubs.
“The tone of these banners also goes against FC Bayern’s style and the club’s respectful relationship with its international partners.”
Bayern beat PSG 1-0. Come on man’s goal while the French team went down to 10 men Ousmane Dembélé Sent off just before the hour mark.
Al-Khalifa, 51, is unpopular with Bayern fans because of his influence over European football as chairman of the European Club Association, Qatar Sports Investments — PSG’s owner — and the Qatari state-owned beIN media group. He also joined the UEFA Executive Committee in 2019.
Al-Khalifi has long drawn scrutiny for apparent conflicts of interest due to his various roles. ECA has a major influence in shaping the Champions League’s game format and commercial strategy, while beIN is one of the competition’s major broadcast partners.
In 2022, UEFA let Al-Khalifi go unpunished despite PSG being found guilty of misconduct for a clash with match officials following a Champions League loss. After the defeat, there were heated scenes between Al-Khalifa and then PSG sporting director Leonardo. Real Madrid. UEFA sanctioned Leonardo, but did not cite Al-Khalifi in its disciplinary statement, nor did it say why.
Al-Khalifi, a former tennis professional, is a longtime friend of Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, an International Olympic Committee member who is influential in global sports.
Bayern fans have long protested sponsorship deals with their club. QatarIt was accused of human rights violations before hosting the 2022 World Cup. Fans finally got theirs last year when Bayern’s long-standing sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways was not renewed.
This story used information from Reuters and The Associated Press.