Bayern Munich decide not to re-sign Jerome Boateng, despite the defender impressing during training sessions – one month after a court ordered a new assault trial for the former Germany international

• Bayern Munich have confirmed they will not re-sign defender Jerome Boateng
• The ex-Germany international faces a new trial related to an assault conviction
• The case has been reopened in Munich following procedural errors in the past 

Bayern Munich have confirmed they will not re-sign Jerome Boateng, despite the defender impressing during training sessions with the club. 

The former Germany international, 35, spent ten years at Bayern between 2011 and 2021, before joining Lyon. 

Earlier this week, it was reported that Bayern were in advanced talks to bring in Boateng as a free agent after the expiry of his contract at Lyon, with the defender joining training sessions with Thomas Tuchel’s side amid an injury crisis at centre-back.

But in a statement released on Friday, Bayern confirmed that the player will not be returning to the club. 

The statement read: ‘Jerome Boateng will not be returning to the FC Bayern Munich squad. The club made this decision on Friday and informed the long-serving former Bayern player.

Bayern Munich have confirmed they will not re-sign defender Jerome Boateng as a free agent (pictured in 2021)

The player is currently a free agent after his contract expired at Ligue 1 side Lyon in June

He faces a new trial in relation to a conviction of assault against his former partner in 2018

‘Around two weeks ago, all four centre-backs in Bayern’s first-team squad were unavailable for the cup match at Preussen Munster because of injury. Boateng, currently without a club, was subsequently invited to join in with training at Bayern. 

‘Dayot Upamecano and Minjae Kim are now playing without pain again, while Matthijs de Ligt is also well on the road to recovery, meaning the personnel situation in the centre of defence has eased.

‘In light of all aspects, Bayern has now decided not to sign Boateng. At the same time, as a distinguished former player, he has been offered the chance to continue to maintain his fitness at the club. Boateng has presented himself in good physical condition.’

There was also the risk of a backlash from Bayern Munich fans about the potential return of Boateng, who made 363 appearances for the club and helping the team to win two Champions League trophies and nine Bundesliga titles. 

As reported by AFP last month, Boateng faces a new trial in relation to a 2021 conviction of assault against his former partner, the mother of his twin daughters, during a Caribbean holiday in 2018.

Boateng was accused in court of repeatedly punching his victim, causing her to lose breath momentarily, as well as stating he ‘pressed against my eye with his thumb, bit me in the head and pulled me to the floor by my hair’.

The superior regional court in Munich decided in favour of appeals by Boateng, his alleged victim and state prosecutors, citing procedural errors in the case. 

Boateng was found guilty in 2021, but the case has been reopened due to procedural errors 

Boateng’s legal team raised the issue of the involvement of a judge it had already rejected, which the Munich court agreed with.

They also agreed that too light a sentence had been imposed for Boateng throwing a cooler bag at his then-partner, as argued by the plaintiff and state prosecutors.  

The footballer had always denied the allegations. In an appeal in November last year, it was confirmed that he was guilty, but the fine handed down in the original sentence was reduced to €1.2m (£1.04m).

The fine could increase if the new case sides with the plaintiff. 

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