Bayern Munich followers protested in opposition to Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi throughout Tuesday’s Champions League match between the 2 groups.
In the Sudkurve of Bayern’s stadium, supporters displayed a number of banners voicing their opposition to the Qatari businessman through the first half of Bayern’s 1-0 victory.
One banner featured Al-Khelaifi’s face with a line drawn by it, whereas one other labeled him “plutocratic,” accompanied by an expletive.
Additional banners learn: “Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA ExCo member & ECA chairman all in one?”
The 51-year-old Al-Khelaifi is unpopular amongst Bayern followers because of his affect on European soccer as chairman of the European Club Association, head of Qatar Sports Investments (which owns PSG), and chief of the Qatari state-owned beIN media group.
He additionally joined UEFA’s govt committee in 2019.
Al-Khelaifi has lengthy confronted scrutiny for obvious conflicts of curiosity due to his numerous roles.
The ECA performs a big half in shaping the Champions League’s taking part in format and industrial technique, whereas beIN is likely one of the competitors’s main broadcast companions.
In 2022, UEFA shunned punishing Al-Khelaifi regardless of discovering PSG responsible of misconduct for confrontations with match officers after a loss within the Champions League.
Heated scenes concerned Al-Khelaifi and then-PSG sporting director Leonardo following a defeat to Real Madrid.
UEFA sanctioned Leonardo however didn’t cite Al-Khelaifi in its disciplinary assertion, nor did it clarify why.
Al-Khelaifi, a former tennis skilled, is a long-time pal of Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the International Olympic Committee who holds vital affect in international sports activities.
Bayern followers have lengthy protested their very own membership’s sponsorship offers with Qatar, which confronted accusations of human rights abuses earlier than internet hosting the 2022 World Cup.
The followers finally succeeded final yr when Bayern’s long-standing sponsorship take care of Qatar Airways was not renewed.
The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported that the choice got here from Qatar, with Sheikh Tamim reportedly sad with Bayern followers’ fixed criticism and the membership’s failure to distance itself from their protests.
Kim Min-jae’s first-half header was sufficient for Bayern’s victory, its seventh straight with out conceding throughout all competitions. PSG ahead Ousmane Dembele was despatched off early within the second half.
Source: www.dailysabah.com