Franck Ribery fined for response to Salt Bae criticism

Bayern Munich have issued Franck Ribery with a “hefty fine” for a foul-mouthed tirade at his critics on social media following his visit to a steak restaurant in Dubai during the club’s winter break.

The 35-year-old former France international, who has a turbulent history of clashing with the media, caused a furore in Germany and France by eating a gold-covered Tomahawk steak presented by the restaurant’s owner Nusret Gokce, better known as Salt Bae.

The steak can reportedly cost in excess of £1,000 and, after some criticism of his extravagance, the veteran winger hit back with a vengeance “in a manner not approved of by FC Bayern”.

On social media, Ribery posted in French: “For 2019, let us dot the i’s and cross the t’s… Let’s start with the jealous, the haters, those probably born from a broken condom: f*** your mothers, your grandmothers and even your family tree.

“I owe you nothing, my success is above all thanks to God, me, and those close to me who believed in me, for the others, you’re only pebbles in my socks!”

A statement issued by the Bundesliga giants on Sunday, read: “FC Bayern Munich has fined Franck Ribery for his choice of words used on social platforms.

“The decision was revealed by sports director Hasan Salihamidzic at the training camp in Doha today (Sunday), who said that the player ‘used words which we as FC Bayern Munich cannot accept and which Franck as a role model, as a player of FC Bayern, must never use’.”

Salihamidzic added: “I spoke to Franck for a long time yesterday and told him he would receive a hefty fine. He has accepted this punishment.”

Ribery, who retired from international duty in 2014, is in his 12th season with Bayern.