Bayern Munich has decided to terminate the sponsorship contract with Qatar Airlines in the upcoming annual general assembly meet, which is scheduled to take place on November 25.
Munich will have to permit its partnership deal with Qatar Airways (2016/17-2022/23) to end and prohibit the club to conclude further sponsoring deals with companies of which a majority is owned by the Qatari Emirate.
The justification was set out by Ott for the measure in five comprehensive points. He told Bild, “We want to take preventative measures to prevent a new contract.”
Qatar’s history of human rights violations is the chief reason. “Qatar Airways is 100% owned by the Emirate of Qatar. This country stands for massive human rights violations, and there moreover are serious charges of corruption in sports. Instead of effecting change, FC Bayern is actively helping the Emirate of Qatar with its sponsorship to draw attention away from these evils,” Ott explained.
Ott mentioned FC Bayern harming its reputation and “falls short of its status as an exemplary model.”
To confirm later, he stated it will not stop Bayern from travelling to Aspire Academy in Doha, Qatar for an annual training camp.
Over the years the relationship between Bayern and Doha has been talked about controversially a lot after they visited Qatar in 2011 after they won a bid for the 2022 World Cup.
In the upcoming general assembly, the Bayern Munich leadership will hear what members will have to say.