Bayern Munich Apologizes For PSG President's Ridicule Supporter Action

Bayern Munich apologized to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after the German club supporters displayed banners that attacked him personally during the Champions League match at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

The banner questioned how Al-Khelaifi from Qatar could become the owner of PSG, Member of the UEFA Executive Committee, Chair of the European Club Association, and television broadcasting rights holder as BeIN Chair.

The banner referred to Al-Khelaifi as a "plutocracy" (political system controlled by the rich or capital owners) and used the words of the umpatan.

"FC Bayern wants to apologize when opponents and representatives at the stadium feel personally attacked in this way and in a tone like this, and feel offended by it," Bayern said in a statement.

"The club wants to emphasize that these banners are not permitted by FC Bayern and do not reflect its stance. These banners are not in accordance with the good and long-standing relationship between the two clubs."

"These banners also contradict the style of the Bayern FC and the relationship of mutual respect that the club has with its international partners," the statement continued.

51-year-old Al-Khelaifi is not popular among Bayern Munich supporters because of his influence on European football as Chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), Qatar Sports Investments (PSG owner), and Qatar state-owned media group, beIN. He also joined the UEFA Executive Committee in 2019.

Al-Khelaifi has long been in the spotlight due to conflicts of real interest due to his various roles.

ECA (European Club Association) has a major influence in shaping the European tournament's game format and commercial strategy. While beIN is one of the main broadcast partners of the competition.

In 2022, UEFA will allow Al-Khelaifi to not be convicted despite finding PSG guilty of a foul for confrontation with match officials after losing in the Champions League.

There was a hot scene involving Al-Khelaifi and PSG Sports Director at the time, Leonardo, after losing to Real Madrid.

UEFA sanctioned Leonardo, but Al-Khelaifi of sanctions for no apparent reason.

Al-Khelaifi, a former professional tennis player, is an old friend of Qatari's ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) influential in global sports.

Bayern Munich fans have long protested the club's sponsorship deal with Qatar, which was accused of human rights abuses before hosting the 2022 World Cup.

The fans finally got what they wanted last year when Bayern Munich's long-term sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways was not renewed.

Bayern Munich beat PSG 1-0 thanks to Kim Min-jae's single goal in the 38th minute. Meanwhile, Les Parisiens struggled in that match for playing with 10 people after Ousmane Dembele got a second yellow card in the 56th minute.