Bayer Leverkusen apologise to Bayern Munich over banner

Bayer Leverkusen have apologised for a banner which mocked Bayern Munich officials Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness.

During the 1-1 draw between the two clubs on Saturday, Leverkusen fans displayed a sign criticising the Bayern pair, saying: “Hey, Uli and Kalle! How does it feel to get done by the law?”

The supporters were referring to recent tax travails that the Bayern CEO and president have become embroiled in.

However, Leverkusen officials were quick to apologise for the banner after the game, telling tz: “We did not know about this. We are very surprised and upset.”

The club also explained that Leverkusen supporters had smuggled the banner into the BayArena.

The banner could not tke the shine off Bayern’s performance with Rummenigge, full of praise for Bayern’s dominant performance.

“We top the table and have delivered a super game,” he said. “We continued where we stopped in Manchester [against Manchester City] – a world-class performance.

“Sadly, the Leverkusen goal was boarded up and a good ‘keeper was in goal as well. Otherwise we would have won.

“It is important to play good football and this we do on an absolute top level.

“We are on unbelievably high level. We play wonderful football.”

The draw with Leverkusen turned out to be a new milestone for Bayern winger Franck Ribery.

Ribery has gone 38 consecutive league games – since April 10, 2012 against Borussia Dortmund – without having been on the losing side.

He has equalled the 30-year-old record of Holger Hieronymus, who had been unbeaten in 38 straight games from September 1981 through to January 1983.

Bayern have currently not been beaten in 33 league games and look on course to break Hamburg’s record of 36 consecutive league games without a loss.