Ribery's international retirement virtually sealed, says Rummenigge

Ribery's international retirement virtually sealed, says Rummenigge

Published Sep. 9, 2014 6:16 a.m. ET

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists that the row over Franck Ribery's international retirement has been "all but settled".

UEFA president Michel Platini claimed on Sunday that the France winger would be hit with a three-game suspension for his club side if he refused a call-up from Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps.

However, Rummenigge insists that Ribery has already been given permission to bring the curtain down on his international career.

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"It is all but settled," the Bayern chief told Bild. "As Philipp Lahm has discussed his international retirement with [Germany coach Joachim] Low, Franck has indeed discussed his with Deschamps.

"He will not be called up anymore [despite Platini's threat]. Everything's in order and FIFA-compliant."

Platini had argued that players do not have the right to choose whether they represent their country.

"Franck Ribery can not simply decide whether he plays for France or not," the former Bleus ace told Bild am Sonntag.

"If coach Didier Deschamps calls him up, he must come to play for the national team."

However, Bayern's stance on Ribery's retirement has also drawn support from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

"The decision must be left to the players themselves," argued BVB sporting director Michael Zorc. "They are not serfs of their federations."

Ribery was capped 81 times by his country before deciding to call time on his international career after missing this summer's World Cup with a back problem.

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