Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said yesterday he is furious at a group of hardcore supporters who are targeting new signing Manuel Neuer because he is a self-confessed fan of rivals Schalke 04.
Germany goalkeeper Neuer made the switch from Schalke to Munich last month, but a small group of Bayern fans are opposed to having the country’s top shot-stopper in their team’s goal because of his former allegiances.
Rummenigge and Bayern’s club bosses met with a cross-section of fans last Saturday and it was agreed that supporters would get behind Neuer to help him settle in Munich.
But when Neuer made his first appearance in a Bayern shirt on Wednesday at their pre-season training camp in Trentino in northern Italy, he received a pointedly frosty reception from a small group of fans.
“You can save as many balls as you want, but we will never accept you in our jersey,” read one banner.
Bayern’s board have issued a statement saying the fans responsible are no longer welcome at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
“We actually thought that this thing was clarified finally,” said Rummenigge at Bayern’s training camp at Riva del Garda.
“We are all very disappointed. These people are not wanted, what they have done is not wanted. I very much regret what they have done.”