Hostile Bayern fans give Neuer code of conduct

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's arrival at Bayern Munich took a turn for the bizarre on Thursday after five hostile fan groups issued him with a code of conduct to comply with.

Neuer signed from Bayern's arch-rivals Schalke 04 in June but has not been made to feel welcome by a section of Munich's 'ultra' fans, who protested during German league matches towards the end of last season.

The Bayern fans' reaction stems from the fact Neuer is a self-confessed Schalke fan.

The 25-year-old made his competitive debut for Bayern last week in north Italy at the Bavarian's pre-season camp, but some fans held a banner saying: "You can stop as many balls as you want, but we will never accept you in our jersey".

Neuer met with some hostile fans on Tuesday, but in a statement posted on their website on Thursday, the conglomeration of five fan groups said nothing had changed.

"Manuel Neuer has said how he will behave towards us fans in future, but our opinion of him has not changed," said the statement.

"During the meeting, we explained how he should behave towards us.

"If Manuel Neuer observes the rules of conduct and maintains a respectful distance (from us), there will be no more protests or organised demonstrations against him."

Neuer has refused to comment on the hostile welcome and the club were taking a cautious approach to the new development despite chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge last week saying he had run out of patience with the die-hard fans.

"A minority group cannot demand that a player has to behave this way or that way," Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes told German daily Bild.

"In the past, I would have been up in arms about this, but today I just say if everyone behaves reasonably with each other, everything will be resolved."

Likewise, Bayern President Uli Hoeness played down the fans' behaviour.

"I think it does not make much sense to shout one's mouth off," he said.

"I think that most fans have grasped what is at stake.

"Any incorrigible know-it-all fans will experience the reaction after the first game in Munich, in my opinion."