Journalists from The Sun and The Daily Mirror have been denied accreditation for the second-leg clash with Manchester United following articles on the midfielder’s red card
Bayern Munich have banned journalists from two British newspapers from attending next week’s Champions League clash with Manchester United after deeming headlines about Bastian Schweinsteiger to be “insulting”.
The Sun and The Daily Mirror published articles in the wake of the midfielder’s red card in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Tuesday, using the headlines “You dirty Schwein” and “You Schwein” as a pun on the German word for ‘pig’.
Bayern have since condemned the papers for what they perceive to be “disrespectful, discriminatory and a personal insult” and have confirmed they will not allow reporters from either to be allowed into the Allianz Arena for the return leg next week.
In an official statement, Bayern claimed that the articles did not adhere to Uefa’s ‘respect’ principles in European competition, citing their recent sanction for an offensive banner in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal as further proof of their own commitment to the campaign.
“FC Bayern Munich will not accept that style of coverage and strongly condemns this,” the statement reads. “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 a fine of €10,000. This is accepted by us.”
Schweinsteiger, who scored die Roten‘s goal on the night at Old Trafford, was later sent off for two bookable offences following a late challenge on Wayne Rooney.