Bayern Munich have had a history of helping fellow German clubs down on their luck financially, usually through a charity match. Even Borussia Dortmund was the beneficiary of one of these matches in 2003. In the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the hardship it has caused, Bayern and Dortmund, along with fellow Champions League participants RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, are contributing 20 million euros to support Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs who are expected to be hard hit by the pause in football due to the pandemic.
The money will be a combination of initially forgoing a total of €12.5 million in national media money of the DFL in the coming season and €7.5 million from their own resources.
The DFL Presidium is to decide on the criteria for the distribution of the 20 million euros. “This campaign underlines that solidarity in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 is not lip service. The DFL Presidium is very grateful to the four Champions League participants in terms of the community of all clubs,” explained Christian Seifert, spokesman for the DFL Presidium.
Former West Germany striker and Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “In these difficult times, it’s important that the stronger shoulders support the weaker shoulders. With this, we also want to show that football is standing together right now.”
Dortmund chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke added: “We have always said that we would show solidarity if clubs, through no fault of their own, should run into difficulties that they can no longer overcome themselves.
On Wednesday, players from Bayern and Dortmund agreed to take pay cuts to help fellow employees at the club while players are Union Berlin have decided to forgo their wages to help their club.
