Decision on contract is approaching
FC Bayern calls serious allegations against Boateng a “private matter”
October 2nd, 2023, 2:05 p.m
The possible signing of Jérôme Boateng concerns FC Bayern and the public. Sports director Christoph Freund says: The two overturned convictions for bodily harm and the approaching third trial do not play a role in the decision for the record champions.
Bayern Munich wants to make a decision this week in the event of a possible signing of Jérôme Boateng. The new court case for bodily harm and alleged violent attacks against his ex-girlfriend should not have a significant influence on this. The proceedings against Boateng are “currently suspended, and that’s why it’s his private story and not a big issue for us,” said sports director Christoph Freund before departure for the Champions League game at FC Copenhagen (Tuesday, 9 p.m./Prime Video and in the live ticker at ntv.de). “The presumption of innocence applies,” said the Austrian, and: “I can only say positive things about him.”
“Sporting considerations play a role first and foremost,” emphasized Freund instead. The goal is to decide on the 35-year-old’s return to FC Bayern by the end of the week: “We have to add him straight away and not wait too long.” Because of the personnel problems in the defense, they are “looking for solutions,” explained Freund.
The two regular central defenders Dayot Upamecano (pubic bone) and Min-Jae Kim (muscular problems) are injured, Matthijs de Ligt (knee) will be out “for a few more days for sure” and “the pain is still quite bad”. Boateng, without a club, could alleviate the squad shortage. According to Freund, the two-time treble winner with FC Bayern would have a “back-up role”. “We have seen that we are rather thinly positioned there,” admitted Freund. “It would be his role […]”To support the team and – if necessary – that he could then step in,” explained the sports director.
Courts viewed Boateng’s attacks as proven
Boateng trained with FC Bayern for the first time on Sunday. The defender is also scheduled to train at Säbener Straße in the coming days. “And then we will have another conversation with him. And then we will see what the best decision can be for everyone involved,” said Freund. A contract until the end of the season is under discussion.
In the third instance, the Bavarian Supreme Regional Court overturned Boateng’s conviction by the Munich I Regional Court on Thursday. The court upheld the appeal of the currently unemployed footballer as well as that of the public prosecutor and Boateng’s former partner. Another chamber must completely restart the taking of evidence. As a result of the appeals by the public prosecutor’s office and ex-partner, Boateng could also face a harsher sentence than the one being contested at 120 daily rates.
The 35-year-old was sentenced in November last year to a fine of 1.2 million euros for assaulting and insulting his former partner. Since the punishment consists of 120 daily rates, Boateng would have a criminal record. In the first instance, the Munich District Court also sentenced Boateng in 2021, but only to 60 daily rates. That would mean he wouldn’t have a criminal record. The fine at that time was higher at 1.8 million euros – but this was because Boateng earned significantly more at the time and a daily rate of 30,000 euros was set.
In the first two proceedings, the courts considered it proven that the then Bayern Munich player had injured and insulted his then partner during a Caribbean vacation more than three years ago.