The German champions released a statement after Italian media outlets drew comparisons between a Twitter matchday graphic and the WWII concentration camp
Bayern Munich have responded to claims in the Italian media that a matchday graphic posted on Twitter is related to the atrocities committed in Auschwitz during World War II.
The Bundesliga club tweeted an image of train tracks leading to the Allianz Arena with the words “until the end”, signifying that one team will be knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday:
However, outlets such as Tuttosport and Gazzetta have drawn similarities between the graphic and images of the tracks which led into the infamous Nazi concentration camp.
Bayern have since denied the claims, releasing an official statement which reads:
“Unfortunately, out matchday graphic has been misunderstood to represent historic events, something which was never intended.
“If we have hurt the feelings of Juventus fans in particular or any other users as a result, we sincerely apologise.
“Our only intention with the graphic was to play on the sporting aspect of this evening’s Champions League last-16 tie, whereby one of the two teams has to exit the competition.”
.@FCBayernEN pic.twitter.com/G9mb1JMLzw
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) March 16, 2016
Bayern press officer Markus Hörwick added: “This graphic has been made by young people who have no idea of German history.”