Bayern shelve plans for charity match in Japan

BERLIN, Germany (AFP) - German champions Bayern Munich on Friday shelved plans to play a benefit match in Japan next month for the victims of the earthquake which has devastated the country.

The Bavarian giants had proposed to play a benefit match in the Japanese city of Osaka between May 17-25 against a local side to raise money for the earthquake and tsunami on March 11 which left nearly 28,000 victims missing or dead.

But Bayern have received a letter from Kikuo Kanamori, president of J-League side Gamba Osaka, thanking them for the proposal, but saying the current situation is too complicated to hold a charity match.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the Germans received the news "with regret, but obvious understanding".

"We remain committed to our promise to organise a charity game to promote the rebuilding of football in the regions devastated by earthquake and tsunami and to show the entire country our sympathy," added Rummenigge.