Bayern Munich stars were forced to sleep at the airport after their flight to Qatar was delayed by SEVEN hours.
Despite the Bundesliga giving the German giants extra time to travel to the Club World Cup, their flight missed its cut-off time.
Friday evening’s 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin in the capital was brought forward by half an hour with Bayern due to fly out from Berlin Brandenburg Airport.
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The squad undertook the extra PCR coronavirus tests, as mandated by Fifa, before arriving at the airport at 10.45pm local time. But the freezing conditions meant the plane had to be de-iced before it could take off. The departure was pushing close to the airport’s midnight cut-off.
And with the plane finally ready to fly, according to Bild, the time had hit 30 seconds past midnight. Bayern have confirmed the seven-hour delay with players forced to wait overnight at the airport.
Despite the airport allowing flights to begin at 5am, the team was forced to wait until 6.52am while waiting for a slot to take off.
Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the German newspaper that the delay was unacceptable.
He stated: “We feel totally messed around by the relevant authorities within Brandenburg politics. The people in charge have no idea what they’ve done to our team.”
An airport spokesperson said: “The plane was ready to start at 11:59pm on the runway – but did not receive clearance.”
Bayern finally undertook the six-and-a-half-hour flight to the Qatari capital of Doha on Saturday.
Egyptian side Al Ahly await the Champions League holders in Monday’s semi-final.
The Ahmed bin Ali Stadium clash kicks off at 9pm UK time with Brazil’s Palmeiras facing Mexico’s Tigres in the other semi.
The victors head to Education City Stadium for Thursday’s final.
Photo Credit: Getty
