Bayern Munich players take part in a training session during their winter training camp at the Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence in the Qatari capital Doha on January 5, 2018. (AFP)
Getting closer to the second half of the season, Bayern Munich has begun their preparations in right earnest.
Meanwhile, Wenzel Michalski German Director of Human Rights Watch, has in an interview criticized the team for their ongoing association with Qatar, a country under the scanner for committing human rights abuses relating to construction workers.
Michalski states that they have nothing against the team playing in Qatar. But he said, “the club must make sure that it's not involved in any human rights violations, not even indirectly.”
Sleeve sponsorship deal
Bayern signed a sleeve sponsorship deal with Hamad International Airport in Qatar during the team’s offseason.
When asked if Bayern lived up to its obligations as a role model, Michalski said: “We’ve been disappointed that the club hasn’t commented publicly on this human rights issue.”
Michalski’s main issue is that Bayern did not do what it takes to live up its duties as a role model.
His insight on the question of the sponsorship is on a level where he believes that if a country that carries out high risk, illegal covert or public activity, sponsors a team, then the team itself caries high risk and great responsibility.
Michalski says he doesn’t understand this sponsorship deal and doesn’t seem too happy about it either.
