Bayern Munich supporters slam club’s relationship with Qatar

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BERLIN (AP) – Bayern Munich fans have stepped up their public criticism of the club for its ties to World Cup host Qatar.

Bayern supporters unfurled a huge banner during the team’s home game on Saturday, criticizing the club for what they say is the ‘sports cleanup’ of human rights violations in Qatar by accepting airline sponsorship national level of that country.

The Bavarian team has also been running mid-season training camps in Qatar since 2011.

Members of the Bayern club are preparing to present a motion at the club’s AGM on November 25 calling to end its sponsorship deals with Qatar “as soon as possible”.

The initiator of the motion, Michael Ott, and his supporters say that the sponsorship agreement with Qatar Airways “is incompatible with the values ​​of our association” and that the reputation of the club is tarnished by its links with the Gulf country.

“Instead of making changes, FC Bayern are actively helping the Emirate of Qatar through sponsorship to distract from grievances,” Ott said on the webpage where he seeks support from other club members. “If FC Bayern remains silent on the situation in Qatar, our club expresses its indifference. With this, FC Bayern is damaging its reputation and failing to shoulder its responsibilities as a role model. “

Members of Bayern’s ultra fan club “Munich’s Red Pride” displayed the provocative banner in the south stand shortly after the start of the second half against Freiburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga. It showed club president Oliver Kahn and smiling president Herbert Hainer washing blood-stained clothes in a washing machine under the words, “For money, we’ll wash everything clean.”

A money case rested on the washing machine, which bore the letters FCB AG to represent the club, and Kahn was holding another money case with the inscription “You can count on us”. Kahn held a clean robe bearing the Bayern sponsor name with his other hand, while he and Hainer stood in pools of blood.

Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann defended the club’s position after his side’s 2-1 victory earned them four points at the top of the table.

“The club tries to discuss through dialogue, to influence things through dialogue and not by exclusion or diversion. I think we made a little difference, ”Nagelsmann said. “At the end of the day, my responsibility is for what happens on the pitch.”

Bayern supporters have long protested against their club’s financial relations with Qatar. They held a public meeting in January 2020 titled “Qatar, Human Rights and FC Bayern” with two migrant workers who spoke about their experiences as they worked on the construction of a stadium for the Cup. of the world next year.

Amnesty released a report in August accusing Qatari officials of doing little to investigate the thousands of deaths of young migrant workers in the country over the past decade.

“As a result, the bereaved families of the workers have been denied the opportunity to receive any compensation from the employer or the Qatari authorities,” Amnesty said.

Bayern supporters have previously posted banners criticizing the club’s ties to Qatar, but the coronavirus pandemic has brought some respite to club officials as fans have been barred from matches in an attempt to curb infections. Now that the fans are back, so are the protests.

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