FC Bayern Munich, a German football club, has chosen to finish its sponsorship take care of Qatar Airways reportedly over human rights standards. The Gulf Carrier sponsored the football club for five years.
Severing ties
FC Bayern Munich, commonly called Bayern, is probably the most decorated football club within the Bundesliga, the German football league. For the reason that league’s founding in 1962, Bayern has won 32 titles and is currently on an 11-year winning streak. Of the key European football leagues (England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany), Bayern has probably the most consecutive league titles.
Five years ago, Qatar Airways became a shirt sponsor for the German team, with its logo displayed on the sleeve of the kits. The deal is price about $21.8 million per 12 months and is about to run out tomorrow, and, because of this of a mutual decision, it’ll not be renewed. In 2021, the club held its annual general meeting (AGM), during which fans and the board had heated exchanges.
Through the 2021 meeting, almost 80% of the club’s members voted that it should align with ‘internationally acknowledged human rights’ standards,’ meaning the club should end its sponsorship with the Qatari carrier. The club’s board didn’t acknowledge the member’s wishes, creating a major backlash.
Neither party stated why the deal was not renewed, but as club members own the vast majority of German football clubs and retain a minimum of fifty% + 1 of the voting rights, it is extremely likely the pressure from 2021 carried into this 12 months.
“FC Bayern and Qatar Airways have worked together successfully and learned from one another. I would love to thank Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, for this. We wish all employees of Qatar Airways all the most effective for the long run.” – Christian Dreesen, Chairman of the Board, FC Bayern Munich
Akbar Al Baker added,
“Qatar Airways and FC Bayern Munich have had a fruitful partnership of years. FC Bayern is an amazing football club whose games we’ve got followed with joy and keenness. We wish the team all the most effective for the long run.”
The Qatar Airways name and brand are not any strangers to the football world, with the carrier having sponsored several major clubs worldwide. Names like FC Barcelona, AS Roma, Boca Juniors, and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) have partnered with the Gulf carrier. Lately, that number has decreased, and of those names, PSG is the one club still sponsored by the airline.
Qatar Airways has also partnered with several major football associations and tournaments, most recently, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted in Qatar. In 2017, the airline signed a take care of FIFA, making it an Official Partner and Official Airline of the football association. This meant the airline was the sponsor of two editions of the World Cup, one edition of the Women’s World Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup (held annually), and the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017.
Though the variety of football sponsorships has decreased lately, the Qatar Airways name, backed by its wealth, could be expected to be featured on latest teams within the near future.
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