Bayern Munich have come under criticism for traveling to Ibiza to celebrate their Bundesliga title before the season has ended.
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
After lifting the Bundesliga trophy on Saturday, a large group of Bayern Munich stars flew to Ibiza on a private jet the following day to celebrate their title win.
Initially, the trip had been banned by board member for sport Max Eberl, who publicly prohibited it ahead of Bayern’s 3-3 draw with RB Leipzig. However, the club has since had a change of heart.
The timing of the trip has drawn criticism, as Bayern still have one league match remaining – Saturday’s away clash with Hoffenheim, which could impact the relegation battle.
“Even though it doesn’t directly concern us, I find the decision borderline – especially after the trip had been canceled just a week ago,” said Mainz director of sport Christian Heidel, one of several figures to voice disapproval.
Explaining the decision to allow the players to go, Eberl said:
“Last week, many decisions in the league were still pending, and our results had a direct impact. The situation is different now, so we didn’t oppose the players’ plan to spend their two and a half free days together.
“We still have one match left, and the players are professionals – they know exactly what’s at stake. Naturally, we will give everything to win in Hoffenheim as well.”
Heading into the final matchday, Heidenheim sit in the relegation playoff spot, three points behind 15th-placed Hoffenheim with a six-goal deficit in goal difference.
A heavy loss for Hoffenheim and a Heidenheim win against Werder Bremen could shift the standings.
“We need to beat Werder Bremen on matchday 34 to have any chance of staying up – that’s entirely in our hands,” Heidenheim CEO Holger Sanwald told Bild.
“At the same time, I fully expect Bayern, like any Bundesliga team, to want to win. They won’t be giving anything away.
“On the contrary, they even have a chance to match or break their own Bundesliga goal record of 101 goals from the 1971/72 season. And now that the Ibiza trip has become public before the match, I’m sure they won’t want to give critics any ammunition.”
The Bayern squad returned from their Ibiza getaway on Tuesday afternoon.
