Bayern Munich punishes makers of homophobic "Gay Gunners" banner

After UEFA handed down a partial stadium ban and fine for for the "Gay Gunners" and "Kosovo" banners that were displayed during Bayern Munich's Champions League match against Arsenal, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge denounced the banner and promised to pursue those responsible.

"We regret this incident during the match against Arsenal and distance ourselves as far as possible from this discriminatory banner. This will never be accepted by Bayern Munich."

Süddeutsche Zeitung is reporting that the banner was held by four teenagers from the South Tyrol region of northern Italy. (A quick Wikipedia search tells me that the majority of the South Tyrol population are of Austro-Bavarian descent and speak German as their first language.) Bayern met with their parents, and they have agreed to pay a fine of €2,000 each. They will also have to come back to Munich over the summer to serve 10 hours of community service.

According to the report, Bayern estimate that they lost nearly €150,000 due to the banner. While the money that they will recoup is a pittance in comparison to what has been lost, this will hopefully serve as a warning to keep any and all derogatory views out of the Allianz Arena.