Bayern Munich have jumped to the defence of Franck Ribery, insisting he is fully committed to the club.
German giants claim French winger has not been angling for exit
Bayern Munich have jumped to the defence of winger Franck Ribery, insisting he has always been fully committed to the club.
The France international has been pursued by Spanish giants Real Madrid and the 26-year-old has made it clear he would prefer to leave Bayern this summer.
Club president Franz Beckenbauer was quoted in the German press on Sunday as saying Ribery "doesn't give a damn" about the club and only joined them as a stepping stone for his personal goals.
It was also claimed that Beckenbauer has suggested Ribery was aware of Fifa's article 17, which allows a player under the age of 28 to walk away from a club after three years of his contract, when he signed his four-year deal with Bayern in 2007.
Professional
But the club, who have stood firm over their refusal to sell, have issued a statement in a bid to end speculation over Ribery's future.
Bayern insist Ribery's conduct has been exemplary and that he has shown no intention of engineering an early exit from the Allianz Arena.
"Our player, Franck Ribery, has always behaved professionally, correctly and seriously," read a statement from the Bayern board.
"Bayern have at no time had and do not have the impression from Franck Ribery that he would only use Bayern in order to further his own career. He has always given himself and his abilities to the service of the team.
"Franck Ribery has never commented on the possibility of making use of Fifa's article 17."
Bayern have urged club legend Beckenbauer to channel his energy elsewhere, however.
Abolished
They are eager for the clause to be removed and believe Beckenbauer could use his Fifa powers to help protect their interests.
The statement ended: "We would, though, be very happy if Franz Beckenbauer, in his role as a member of the Fifa Executive, would take care that article 17, which greatly burdens the whole of professional football, be abolished and therefore more contract stability for all clubs worldwide is provided."
