Criticism of Munich's Rwanda partnership
Following criticism of its partnership with Rwanda, FC Bayern Munich has declared its commitment to the African country. It is not just a sponsorship relationship with monetary payments, said President Herbert Hainer on Sunday. "We are also trying to promote youth soccer." In addition, the aim is to help the country earn money through tourism and thus ensure greater prosperity for the population.
At the end of the annual general meeting, member Michael Ott, who was also a major critic of Munich's sponsorship relationship with Qatar, which has since been terminated, addressed the issue of Rwanda critically.
Rwanda was not a country that could be supported in a tourism campaign, he said. After the end of the Qatar sponsorship, the hoped-for rethink had not set in. It was all about money, human rights were irrelevant, the lawyer complained. "We are behaving just as morally reprehensible as in recent years." Human Rights Watch is critical of the handling of human rights in Rwanda.
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen replied to Ott that the two partnerships with Qatar and Rwanda could not be compared in the slightest. "The Federal Republic of Germany has been involved in Rwanda for many decades," said Dreesen. They had entered into a partnership in which they also wanted to support children and youth soccer.
Dreesen also wanted to help the poor country to make further progress in improving prosperity. Not all aspects should always be assessed through European eyes. "We will take a close look after the end of the contract period and then decide what to do next," said Hainer.
Dreesen pointed out that he had answered all questions on the subject at the beginning of the partnership. They had also spoken to fans from the fans' corner. He hoped to be able to talk about successes and development next year, said the CEO.
Despite the criticism from member Michael Ott, FC Bayern Munich still intends to promote youth soccer in Rwanda within their partnership. At the Bundesliga club's Annual General Meeting, Ott expressed his concerns about supporting Rwanda in a tourism campaign, citing human rights issues.
Source: www.dpa.com
