FC Bayern Munich Threaten Legal Action Against Canada Soccer

FC Bayern Munich has today threatened legal action against the Canadian Soccer Federation over their handling of captain fullback Alphonso Davies.

Davies started the third-place Concacaf Nations League match against the United States on March 23rd. He only lasted 12 minutes, having to be substituted off after he was holding his right knee. Despite the loss, Canada would go on to defeat the USA 2-1.

On Wedensday, Bayern announced he had torn his ACL and will be out for several months.

Now, they are considering their legal options, especially in light of the match being “of no sporting significance”. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told German publication Bild: “We are demanding a full investigation into the events with Canada Soccer and reserve the right to legal action,”

“The participation of Davies, who already had muscular problems before the game, in a match of no sporting significance is incomprehensible from our point our view.”

Davies is set to miss a crucial period in the Bayern schedule, sitting on top of the Bundesliga table by five points with eight games remaining, and a major UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Italian side Inter Milan next week.

Dreesen was also critical of the Canadian medical team after the player had sustained the injury, saying: “Sending a clearly injured player with a damaged knee on a 12-hour intercontinental flight without a thorough medical assessment is, in our view, grossly negligent and a clear breach of medical duty of care.”

Bayern sporting director Christian Freund echoed Dreesen’s sentiments, alleging that it was “sloppy” from Canada: “He is the captain, a young man who wanted to help his team but it was borderline,” he said. “The second issue is the injury after 12 minutes. Then Phonzy flies back on a 12-hour flight, and we all assume it is not a serious injury but then we have this.

“That is sloppy. It is not professional and we need to talk and clear it up.”