Monday December 02, 2024

Bayern apologize for banners criticizing PSG owner Al-Khelaifi

Published : 28 Nov 2024, 23:48

  DF News Desk
Bayern Munich Fans hold up banners against President of Paris Saint-Germain Nasser Al-Khelaifi during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa.

Bayern Munich have apologized for a fan banners criticizing Paris Saint-Germain and their president and owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi during their Champions League match on Tuesday evening, reported dpa.

"FC Bayern would like to apologize when its opponents and their representatives in its stadium feel personally attacked in this manner and tone and are offended as a result," the club said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

"The club would like to make it clear that these banners were not authorized by FC Bayern and do not reflect its stance. They are not in keeping with the good and long-standing relationship between the two clubs," Bayern said.

The banners shown during Bayern's 1-0 win questioned how Qatari Al-Khelaifi could be a club owner, a UEFA Executive Committee member, the chairman of the European Club Association and a television rights holder as beIN chairman.

"Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA ExCo member & ECA chairman all in one?" one banner said. Another banner called Al-Khelaifi "plutocratic" and used an expletive.

In addition, the quote “Le foot c'est moi” (I am the footbal) compared him to the former absolute French monarch King Louis XIV, who is famous for saying: “I am the state.”