Bayern Munich rule out joining the Super League

Bayern Munich have explicitly ruled out joining the Super League, stating their commitment to playing in a reformed Champions League.

The breakaway competition was announced by its 12 founding members on Sunday, and it has since received widespread criticism from across the game. Those behind the Super League are understood to have approached Paris-Saint Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern to join, only to be rebuffed.

On Tuesday, Die Roten confirmed their opposition to the idea in an official statement, with president Herbert Hainer saying: "Our members and fans reject a Super League. As FC Bayern, it is our wish and our aim that European clubs live the wonderful and emotional competition that is the Champions League, and develop it together with UEFA. FC Bayern says no to the Super League."

CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a longstanding critic of a closed-off European league, added: "On behalf of the board, I would like to make it explicitly clear that FC Bayern will not be taking part in the Super League.

"FC Bayern stands in solidarity with the Bundesliga. It always was and is a great pleasure for us to be able to play and represent Germany in the Champions League. We all remember fondly our 2020 Champions League victory in Lisbon – you don’t forget such a joyful moment. For FC Bayern, the Champions League is the best club competition in the world."

Bayern's steadfast rejection of the Super League leaves the 12 rebel clubs in a difficult position. The Bundesliga giants would have been one of the biggest draws for broadcasters and they had been earmarked for a place as one of the competition's founding members.

It remains to be seen whether Dortmund and PSG will follow suit with their own statements of opposition.