What a mega-flight hassle!
Actually, the record champions wanted to fly from Berlin to the Club World Cup in Doha on Friday evening immediately after the 1-0 win at Hertha. The Bundesliga game was even brought forward by 30 minutes (8 p.m. instead of 8.30 p.m.) so that Bayern can take off before the night flight ban at BER (midnight to 5 a.m.). But Brandenburg ruined Bavaria’s travel plan. Curious: the record master’s machine did not take off until Saturday morning at 6.52 a.m. – that is, over seven and a half hours later than originally planned. Reason: The Bavarians did not get a start clearance at BER!
Bavaria’s mega-flight trouble in chronology:
The Bavarians arrive at BER Airport around 10:45 p.m. The “QTR7402” (Qatar Airlines) is scheduled to take off at 11:15 pm and arrive in Doha after around six and a half hours of flight time.
Bavaria’s aircraft is de-iced for 20 minutes, but according to BILD information, it is ready to take off on the tarmac at 11:59 p.m. The Bavarians are actually still in time. Then comes the hammer: the machine is not allowed to take off because it is 30 seconds above the allowed start time! Bayern do not receive a start clearance.
Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (65) to BILD: “We feel totally ripped off by the authorities in charge of Brandenburg politics. The people in charge don’t even know what they did to our team. “
Already in advance there were coordination problems with the Brandenburg politics because of the start approval. It was agreed that Bavaria would be allowed to take off until 11:59 p.m.
BER spokeswoman Sabine Deckwerth (59): “The machine was ready to start at 11:59 p.m. on the runway – but it has not received a start clearance.”
According to BILD information, the Bavarians are now waiting on the tarmac until 1.20, but are still trying to get approval for departure – without success.
1:22 a.m.: The Bavarian machine drives from the runway back to the terminal! The stars spend the night on the plane. Nevertheless, the mood should have been very good. Also thanks to the crew that provides the players with food and drink. You don’t sleep.
6:52 a.m.: Now it finally starts. Bayern take off – but with a stopover in Munich! Why? Shift change, the crew has to be changed. At 9 o’clock the team will travel to Qatar, in the afternoon Bayern are expected in Doha.
The club on Saturday morning on Twitter: “FC Bayern are now more than seven hours late taking off for the FIFA Club World Cup in Doha due to the refused entry permit.”
The Bayern squad for the Club World Cup
Munich started the trip with a 22-man squad, but without the German national player Leon Goretzka (26) and the Spaniard Javi Martínez (32). Both have to pause because of positive corona results. It is not ruled out that they will follow suit. “We have to look at it from day to day,” emphasized coach Hansi Flick, but also limited: “It looks a bit better with Leon, with Javi it will probably not be enough.”
On Monday at 7 p.m. (live on BILD.de and SPORTBILD.de) in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, Bayern will meet Al Ahly SC. According to Fifa, the game should take place as planned despite Bayern’s late departure.
.
