Bayern Munich Bans Two British Tabloid Newspapers

Bayern Munich have banned British tabloid newspapers The Sun and The Daily Mirror from attending the UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United next week, after deeming headlines about Bastian Schweinsteiger to be insulting.

The articles were published in the wake of the experienced midfielder’s controversial red card in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday, using insulting headlines such as ‘You dirty Schwein’ and ‘You Schwein’ as a pun on the German word ‘pig.’

Bayern have condemned the newspapers for a ‘discriminatory, personal insult and disrespectful regard’ and have confirmed they will not allow reporters from both of those newspapers into the Allianz Arena for the return leg next week.

Bayern stated that the articles did not adhere to UEFA’s ‘respect’ principles in the European competition, receiving their recent sanction for an offensive banner against Arsenal in the 1-1 draw as further proof of their own commitment to the campaign.

Schweinsteiger, who scored the goal for Bayern on the night at Old Trafford, was sent off in the dying moments of the match for two bookable offenses, the second following a late challenge on Wayne Rooney.

Bayern’s official statement says,

“FC Bayern Munich will not accept the style of coverage and strongly condemns it. UEFA calls for ‘RESPECT’ in the Champions League – a big European wide campaign.

“Every player wears this logo on their jersey during the game and every participant of the competition is obliged to adherence of ‘RESPECT’. Because of a violation against this agreement by four spectators that showed disrespectful banners during the home match in the first leg of the round of the last 16 against Arsenal in Munich’s Allianz Arena, Bayern was sanctioned with a 700-seat ban as well as fine of €10,000. This is accepted by us.”