Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer says he regrets making comments in which he appeared to question Franck Ribery's commitment.
Beckenbauer recently said of Ribery that "he's a Frenchman - Munich is all the same to him."
Bayern's other key powerbrokers, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and club manager Uli Hoeness, quickly weighed in to support Ribery and praise the French midfielder's dedication and professionalism.
Bayern's preparations for the new season had been affected by ongoing speculation about Ribery's possible departure.
"I wanted to help him and the opposite came out of it," Beckenbauer said, arguing that he meant to voice understanding for Ribery's situation.
"I perhaps made the mistake of using words that were too drastic," he said.
