Bayern Munich release statement on Mario Götze, refute report

Yesterday, the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported that Bayern Munich have threatened to not nominate Mario Götze for their Champions League roster next season if he were to refuse a move away from the Bavarian giants this summer. As per usual with false - but potentially harmful - rumors, the club has come right out to refute the report and set the record straight.

In a statement on fcb.de:

FC Bayern München has demanded that various media sources cease and desist from reporting false claims. It has been reported that FC Bayern has "threatened" Mario Götze by stating he would not be nominated to play in the Champions League if he remains at the club.

FC Bayern München AG chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commented: "This is complete fiction. It remains the case that we will resolutely defend ourselves against all false or even malicious reporting using all legal means available to us."

While this rumor seemed a little far fetched to begin with, it's nice to see the club come out confirm its ridiculousness. It's one thing to want to sell a player, especially one going into the final year of his contract. But to threaten him with a move that not only harms the player, but also the club, seems quite strange indeed.

Whether Götze's future lies in Munich or elsewhere, if the 24-year-old is donning Bayern colors next year, he surely projects to be one of the top 15 players on the roster. To keep him out of the squad because you're angry he's eager to prove himself and break through at your club would be immature and senseless, both on and off the pitch. It's nice to see that this wouldn't be the case.