Bayern Munich to move away from its ‘Visit Rwanda’ sponsorship this season after criticism from fans
Bayern Munich move away from sponsor after fan protest
- Bayern Munich is significantly reducing its "Visit Rwanda" branding following fan protests and allegations that Rwanda supports rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The German football club is reconfiguring its commercial sponsorship into a three-year agreement focused on developing young players at a Bayern-affiliated academy in Rwanda.
- The original five-year deal, signed in 2023, had faced accusations of "sportswashing" and replaced a previous controversial sponsorship with Qatar.
- Public discontent escalated in February when Bayern fans displayed a protest banner, coinciding with United Nations accusations against Rwanda regarding the M23 rebel group.
- While Bayern's CEO emphasised the shift to a developmental initiative, Rwanda's Development Board stated the continued partnership helps position the nation as a global hub for tourism, investment, and high-performance sport.