Bayern Munich defers decision on Qatar sponsorship to 2023

BERLIN — Bayern Munich won’t decide whether to extend its controversial sponsorship agreement with Qatar Airways until next year. “We will continue to discuss the issue intensively after the World Cup and find a solution for FC Bayern,” chief executive Oliver Kahn told 1,501 club members at Bayern’s annual general meeting on Saturday. Kahn said he respected fans’ concerns about Bayern’s lucrative arrangement with Qatar Airways, even though many supporters say it damages the club’s reputation because of alleged human rights abuses in the Persian Gulf country. But if you want to change and initiate something, you have to meet people, talk to them, and exchange ideas instead of excluding them.” Bayern president Herbert Hainer earlier apologized to club members for mistakes he said he made last year when he abruptly ended the AGM amid chaotic scenes when members shouted at and booed the club’s directors for refusing to discuss its sponsorship arrangements with Qatar. “This is anything but a matter of course and has primarily to do with the DNA of FC Bayern, whereby we never spend more than we earn.” Bayern made 224.2 million euros from sponsorship and marketing, while another sizeable chunk of income came from match operations, which were helped last year by the easing of restrictions against the coronavirus.