German FA warns against fielding weakened sides to face Bayern Munich

Exterior view of the new Allianz-Arena stadium in Munich, after its name has been mounted on the outside, 18 April 2005
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DFL president Christian Seifert warns that clubs who field weakened teams against Bayern Munich next season could face punishment.

The German Football Association (DFL) has warned Bundesliga sides against fielding weakened teams when they face Bayern Munich next season.

Bayern have dominated German football in recent years, winning four straight Bundesliga titles and three domestic doubles in that time.

Last season teams often rotated their squads against Bayern in order to rest players for matches they felt they had a better chance of winning, but DFL president Christian Seifert has warned that a repeat next term could result in punishments.

"It destroys the integrity of the game. I would strongly push for consequences if something like that were to happen again," he told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

"It's too soon to speculate about it because I don't think it will happen again. We've spoken to the clubs about it and I expect every sportsman to have the aim of playing every game the best way they possibly can."

Bayern, who now have Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, will kick off the new Bundesliga season at home to Werder Bremen on August 26.

Carlo Ancelotti, coach of Real Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 2, 2014
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