Bayern Munich explore lawsuit against Canadian FA

The relationship between club teams and their international counterparts has always been one fraught with tension, more akin to that of rivals than a symbiotic relationship where both benefit from the world class players they have in their arsenal. Yet the case of Alphonso Davies is a unique one. Yes, managers have been known to grumble at a particular ill timed international break that falls towards the make-or-break end of the season and yes, these managers grumbles tend to grow more vociferous when a player gets injured during the international period. In recent times we have even seen players mysteriously pick up injuries right before an international break before soon making a miraculous recovery in time for the club’s next fixture. It is rare however that we see a club sue an international federation. But this is precisely what happening with Alphonso Davies and the Canadian Football Association.

Canada have shot back assuring that proper medical procedures did in fact take place

Bayern Munich are considering a lawsuit against the Canadian Football Association for gross negligence which they claim has had an adverse effect on Davies’ cruciate ligament tear. Bayern CEO points to the fact that Alphonso Davies was sent on an intercontinental flight without a thorough medical exam after coming off 12 minutes into their clash with the United States. It is here that they feel the Canadian FA put Davies unnecessarily at risk. Canada have shot back at Bayern Munich assuring that proper medical procedures did in fact take place and that Munich were kept in the loop throughout regarding Davies injury.

Bayern Munich have a lot to lose with the loss of their starting left back

The situation is a difficult one and delicately poised, many could see the moves made by Bayern Munich as an overreaction; injuries are a part of football and something that every club has to deal with. Yet it is also easy to understand their frustration, Canada having already qualified for the World Cup and playing in what was essentially a glorified friendly game meant there was little need to risk their star player Davies. Bayern, on the other hand, very much have a lot to lose with the loss of their starting left back. They face a tough late challenge from Bayern Leverkusen and are in the crunch period of the Champions League with a quarter final against Inter to play.

Alphonso Davies, who is now out for the season, was an essential player for the Reds, starting 19 out of the 26 games and was integral to their previous Bundesliga and Champions League success. This loss is compounded by the loss of Upancameo in the same international break.

The truth is that the success of any attempts at a lawsuit is immaterial, however. If Alphonso Davies loss provides costly to both their league and European campaigns, then a victory in a lawsuit provides little solace to Bayern Munich. It is also interesting to see the wider repercussions that a lawsuit would have on the already tenuous relationship between international and club football.