Bayern Munich’s Club World Cup preparations held up in flight fiasco

Bayern Munich’s Club World Cup preparations held up in flight fiasco
David Alaba, Manuel Neuer and Lewandowski reach Doha

Bayern Munich are due to play in the Club World Cup held in Qatar on Monday. They were scheduled to travel to Qatar on Friday after their match against Hertha Berlin.

Bayern Munich defeated Hertha Berlin 1-0 in their Bundesliga fixture. The fixture was moved ahead 30 minutes to 8 p.m. CET. This would allow the Bavarians time to catch their flight from BER Airport, located in the state of Brandenburg at 11.15 p.m.

Rumminegge was furious with the 7 hour delay

However, local officials in Berlin refused permission for takeoff before midnight on Friday. The local authorities do not allow any takeoffs to take place because of the noise at night. The snowy and freezing temperatures meant they had strictly denied permission to flights between 12 and 5 in the morning.

FS Video

Bayern Munich players had to wait for 7 hours in the plane before returning to Munich. The cabin crew was changed there and the team left for Qatar at 9 a.m. CET, 9 hours later than their scheduled time.

Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was furious about the delay and blamed it on local politics.

“They don’t know what they have done to our team,” Bayern CEO told Bild. “We feel like the authorities in charge in Brandenburg politics have taken us for a ride.”

FIFA regulations clearly state that every club should arrive to the venue 3 days prior to their fixture. Strict COVID-19 protocol is also in place, but FIFA will fast-track the process to conduct the Club World Cup smoothly.

Bayern Munich are set to play Egyptian opponents Al-Ahly in the first semifinals of the World Cup on Monday. They will look to win their 2nd World Cup trophy after winning their first one in 2013.

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