Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 6y

Jupp Heynckes backs Bayern Munich fans' protest over ticket prices

Bayern Munich Jupp Heynckes has said he "totally supports" the fans who protested against ticket prices during the Champions League defeat at Anderlecht on Wednesday.

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Bayern after supporters threw fake money onto the pitch during the match.

European football's governing body said on Thursday that it was charging the Bundesliga champions over an "illicit banner" and the "throwing of objects."

The case will be heard by its ethics and disciplinary body on Dec. 7.

Bayern fans were charged €100 for their allocated tickets, and their protest led to play briefly being delayed.

They displayed a banner that read: "Is your gr€€d now finally satisfi€d?"

But Heynckes told a news conference ahead of the weekend match at Borussia Monchengladbach: "What are they paying, €100? I totally support the protest -- the fans are absolutely right, it is justified.

"It is crazy -- the fans cannot afford this. It is practically an invitation to stay at home. It is not OK.

"We need to keep prices moderate for football fans, we need the fans. Games without atmosphere are bad for football."

Bayern are without captain Manuel Neuer, Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller through injury, and lost both Thiago Alcantara and Arjen Robben to muscle injuries in midweek.

However, Heynckes said: "There's no use in complaining about injuries. I am still spoilt for choice, they are all international players. I'm very optimistic for a top performance."

Thiago and Robben returned to Munich on Thursday but the rest of the squad travelled from Brussels to Dusseldorf to prepare for the weekend game.

Heynckes, who won four Bundesliga titles as a striker with Gladbach, said Corentin Tolisso, Javi Martinez and James Rodriguez would start, while Kingsley Coman, who "trained well and is pain-free", could return.

He also urged Joshua Kimmich to follow in the footsteps of Philipp Lahm and become the best right-back in the world.

"When I recall Philipp Lahm, he continually improved into a world-class player and was the best right-back in the world along with Dani Alves for many years -- this has to be Joshua's aim too," he said.

On Wednesday, Lothar Matthaus urged Bayern to convince Heynckes to stay on for another year.

But the coach said: "I did not apply for the job -- I was asked to take over during a difficult period for Bayern. I am only a temporary solution."

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