Bayern rules: Only wear Adidas, don't bet and speak German (Part 2)

You may think that football players are real super-start who can do whatever they please, but it’s not always like that. Players are often met a bunch of rules from the clubs in which they play, or among their teammates. What to wear, what to eat, how to eat, what to drive etc. And Bild managed to get their hands on the Bayern Munich rule book. This is the part two of their rules of conduct, after we published part one on Monday.

Bayern Munich rules: 10.000 euros if you spit, 50.000 if you don’t drive Audi (Part 1)

What to wear

There are some ’do's and don'ts’ in the apperiance department for Bayern players. For example, they can wear shoes and slippers of their liking, without a particular brand in mind. With that being allowed, many players have individual shoe contracts (for example, Goretzka just switched from Nike to Adidas).

(©AFP)

But, when it comes to training and public appearances, Adidas is a rule. Well, there were Bayern players in the past who forgot, or ’forgot’ about the rule, so Mario Gotze wore a white t-shirt with big sign Nike at the inaugural press conference, while Jerome Boateng came to the Adidas fan shop opening in a Nike pants. As in other clubs, the players have to dress unanimously, and the team manager always state in advance  which dress code applies. For example, when they have Champions League matches, the wine-red suit from sponsor Boss is being used. Most players are now constantly wearing headphones: at the training, during the trip etc., and Bayern management prefers if the players ware "Beats" headphones, but luckily to for the footballers, it’s still not an obligation.

Contract clauses

Various contracts have various clauses, containing bonuses, rules, transfer fees etc, but there are some „general rules“ which are in every players contract:

Prohibition of match betting and match fixing

Players should eat in such a way that they can achieve top sporting performance

Players may only engage in risky leisure activities with the written permission of the club.

"Anti-mole clause": Players are prohibited from disclosing internal information or generally passing them on to third parties.

Interviews must all be arranged with the association and then authorized by the media department.

In the case of extremely damaging behavior, this can even result in the termination of the contract. A contractual penalty for breaking the rules is usually one month's salary, which can be increased if there are several penalties.

(©AFP)

Corona rules

These new rules were made during the Covic-19 pandemic and are still active. They are mainly focused on the health issues and players were heavily fined. For example, Corentin Tolisso received 50,000 euros and a public rebuke from the bosses because he had himself tattooed at home without a mask and posted videos of it on Instagram. There is currently no buffet for breakfast and lunch, but the players can take packed lunches with them. When staying in hotels, players must wear an FFP2 mask to the table. People eat in mini-groups - at a distance. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, Bayern players stay as little as possible in the hotels and most often they sleep at home. Small distances are covered by the team bus, but the players have to have one free space next to them.

The languague in use

Off course, it is German. The bosses are looking for trainers who can give their instructions in German. Compatriots naturally also speak to one another in their own languages. Defense chief Alaba also gives commands in English and Spanish during the game. For every newcomer from abroad there are private lessons with teacher Max Steegmuller. Lucas Hernandez is very talented. Coman speaks German better than English. Tanguy Nianzou speaks fluently after only nine months. Alphonso Davies also learns a lot privately, sometimes with German subtitles on TV series. But if a player doesn’t want to bother learning German, surprasingly, there are no fines. There were such players, and off course James Rodriguez (now plays with Everton) was one of them.

And finally, some sports rules!

Penalty taker: Lewandowski is the clear number one, followed by Thomas Muller. Corner taker:  Kimmich is the first, followed by Sane, Pavard and Gnabry. Alaba (right side) and Lewandowski (left side) take free kicks. If the two are missing, Kimmich, Muller and Sane take over.