Bayern Munich, champions of German soccer’s top-tier Bundesliga, have announced they will not renew their sleeve sponsorship agreement with Qatar Airways when the pair’s five-year contract expires at the end of June.

In a statement today (June 28), the soccer giants said: “Both partners have actively promoted an exchange between cultures. It has always been the goal of FC Bayern and Qatar Airways to connect people through football, including women’s football.

“Trusting, open exchanges have created friendships that will continue.”

Qatar Airways became the team’s sleeve sponsor in February 2018, succeeding Doha’s Hamad International Airport, which the company manages.

The airline then became a platinum partner of the club at the end of the 2017-18 season when Bayern's contract with German airline Lufthansa expired.

During the partnership, Bayern regularly used Qatar’s Doha as a winter training base, most recently in January.

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However, the agreement has drawn criticism from fans, who have voiced their anger about the club being sponsored by a country facing allegations of human rights violations, including LGBTQ rights and the treatment of migrant workers.

Fan groups including Munich’s Red Pride and Club. No. 12 have displayed banners during the games protesting against the deal. During the club’s 2021 annual general meeting, 77.8% of their members voted in favor of the team aligning with ‘internationally acknowledged human rights standards.’

Those concerns were highlighted during last year’s FIFA 2022 World Cup, which was hosted by Qatar.

Despite the loss of its relationship with Bayern, Qatar Airways has other agreements in place with major sports properties including a front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-German, which was struck ahead of the 2022-23 season.

In February, the airline also signed a multi-year deal to become the global sponsor of motor racing's premier Formula 1 championship. It also has a shirt sponsorship agreement with Royal Challengers Bangalore, of cricket’s Indian Premier League.