Football
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Bayern chief backs Franck Ribery following Michel Platini threat

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists there is no issue over Franck Ribery despite Michel Platini warning the player he could face a ban if he refuses to come out of international retirement.

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The Bayern winger announced his career with France had come to an end earlier this summer after he missed out on the World Cup through injury.

However, UEFA president Platini -- a former France captain -- refused to accept the decision and cited the FIFA rules, which state that a player cannot refuse a summons to international duty.

"If Deschamps calls him up, then he has to come to the national team," Platini had told Bild am Sonntag. "That's written in the FIFA statutes. If he doesn't report for duty, then he would be banned for three matches for Bayern Munich."

The UEFA chief said that he does not understand Ribery's decision to retire after winning 81 caps for his country, given that Euro 2016 is being held in France.

"He's a Frenchman and the European Championship in 2016 is taking place in France, not in Poland,'' Platini said."He's got to want to play a part in it."

Speaking to Sport Bild, Rummenigge responded to Platini.

"Everthing's settled anyway," he said, before adding that Ribery has already discussed the situation with France coach Didier Deschamps.

"He will not receive a call-up anyhow. Everything's fine."

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