Daily Sabah logo

Politics
Diplomacy Legislation War On Terror EU Affairs Elections News Analysis
TÜRKİYE
Istanbul Education Investigations Minorities Expat Corner Diaspora
World
Mid-East Europe Americas Asia Pacific Africa Syrian Crisis Islamophobia
Business
Automotive Economy Energy Finance Tourism Tech Defense Transportation News Analysis
Lifestyle
Health Environment Travel Food Fashion Science Religion History Feature Expat Corner
Arts
Cinema Music Events Portrait Reviews Performing Arts
Sports
Football Basketball Motorsports Tennis
Opinion
Columns Op-Ed Reader's Corner Editorial
PHOTO GALLERY
JOBS ABOUT US RSS PRIVACY CONTACT US
© Turkuvaz Haberleşme ve Yayıncılık 2025

Daily Sabah - Latest & Breaking News from Turkey | Istanbul

  • Politics
    • Diplomacy
    • Legislation
    • War On Terror
    • EU Affairs
    • Elections
    • News Analysis
  • TÜRKİYE
    • Istanbul
    • Education
    • Investigations
    • Minorities
    • Expat Corner
    • Diaspora
  • World
    • Mid-East
    • Europe
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Africa
    • Syrian Crisis
    • Islamophobia
  • Business
    • Automotive
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Tourism
    • Tech
    • Defense
    • Transportation
    • News Analysis
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Science
    • Religion
    • History
    • Feature
    • Expat Corner
  • Arts
    • Cinema
    • Music
    • Events
    • Portrait
    • Reviews
    • Performing Arts
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Motorsports
    • Tennis
  • Gallery
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Op-Ed
    • Reader's Corner
    • Editorial
  • TV
  • Sports
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Motorsports
  • Tennis

Bayern fans throw curveball at PSG's Al-Khelaifi in UCL protest

by Associated Press

MUNICH, Germany Nov 27, 2024 - 11:49 am GMT+3
Munich fans hold up a banner against Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain during the match between FC Bayern and Paris Saint Germain, at the Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo)
Munich fans hold up a banner against Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain during the match between FC Bayern and Paris Saint Germain, at the Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo)
by Associated Press Nov 27, 2024 11:49 am

Bayern Munich fans protested against Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi during Tuesday's Champions League match between the two teams.

In the Sudkurve of Bayern's stadium, supporters displayed several banners voicing their opposition to the Qatari businessman during the first half of Bayern's 1-0 victory.

One banner featured Al-Khelaifi's face with a line drawn through it, while another labeled him "plutocratic," accompanied by an expletive.

Additional banners read: "Minister, club owner, TV rights holder, UEFA ExCo member & ECA chairman all in one?"

The 51-year-old Al-Khelaifi is unpopular among Bayern fans due to his influence on European football as chairman of the European Club Association, head of Qatar Sports Investments (which owns PSG), and leader of the Qatari state-owned beIN media group.

He also joined UEFA's executive committee in 2019.

Al-Khelaifi has long faced scrutiny for apparent conflicts of interest because of his various roles.

The ECA plays a significant part in shaping the Champions League's playing format and commercial strategy, while beIN is one of the competition's major broadcast partners.

In 2022, UEFA refrained from punishing Al-Khelaifi despite finding PSG guilty of misconduct for confrontations with match officials after a loss in the Champions League.

Heated scenes involved Al-Khelaifi and then-PSG sporting director Leonardo following a defeat to Real Madrid.

UEFA sanctioned Leonardo but did not cite Al-Khelaifi in its disciplinary statement, nor did it explain why.

Al-Khelaifi, a former tennis professional, is a long-time friend of Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the International Olympic Committee who holds significant influence in global sports.

Bayern fans have long protested their own club's sponsorship deals with Qatar, which faced accusations of human rights abuses before hosting the 2022 World Cup.

The fans eventually succeeded last year when Bayern's long-standing sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways was not renewed.

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported that the decision came from Qatar, with Sheikh Tamim reportedly unhappy with Bayern fans' constant criticism and the club's failure to distance itself from their protests.

Kim Min-jae's first-half header was enough for Bayern's victory, its seventh straight without conceding across all competitions. PSG forward Ousmane Dembele was sent off early in the second half.

  • shortlink copied
  • Last Update: Nov 27, 2024 2:05 pm
    KEYWORDS
    bayern munich nasser al-khelaifi paris saint-germain football champions league uefa
    The Daily Sabah Newsletter
    Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey, it’s region and the world.
    You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    No Image
    Broken rackets, sweat and injuries: Best of Australian Open 2021
    PHOTOGALLERY
    • POLITICS
    • Diplomacy
    • Legislation
    • War On Terror
    • EU Affairs
    • News Analysis
    • TÜRKİYE
    • Istanbul
    • Education
    • Investigations
    • Minorities
    • Diaspora
    • World
    • Mid-East
    • Europe
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Africa
    • Syrian Crisis
    • İslamophobia
    • Business
    • Automotive
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Tourism
    • Tech
    • Defense
    • Transportation
    • News Analysis
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Environment
    • Travel
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Science
    • Religion
    • History
    • Feature
    • Expat Corner
    • Arts
    • Cinema
    • Music
    • Events
    • Portrait
    • Performing Arts
    • Reviews
    • Sports
    • Football
    • Basketball
    • Motorsports
    • Tennis
    • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Op-Ed
    • Reader's Corner
    • Editorial
    • Photo gallery
    • DS TV
    • Jobs
    • privacy
    • about us
    • contact us
    • RSS
    © Turkuvaz Haberleşme ve Yayıncılık 2021