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Whether sexual violence like Rubiales, physical assault like Boateng or anti-Semitism like Noussair Mazraoui – FC Bayern Munich lacks any positioning when it comes to human rights issues. A comment.
Admittedly, given the situation in Israel and Gaza, it is entirely understandable that the events have left their mark on Bundesliga players. On October 7, 2023, the terrorist organization Hamas attacked Israel and carried out a massacre. 1,400 Jews were raped, murdered and violated, and around 200 people were taken to Gaza as hostages. The Israeli government responded with massive bombing of Palestinian areas. Hundreds of civilians died, including women, children and the elderly.
It is understandable that football players also want to comment on this. Especially when they are personally affected. Be it as Israelis, as Jews or people with Palestinian roots. Wherever people die, where family members die, there is always pain, sadness and anger, regardless of community affiliation.
Words are not followed by actions at FC Bayern
And yet one thing must be clear: there is no place for anti-Semitism. Hamas’ terror is not a liberation struggle. And despite all compassion and humanity, it is quite clear where the line to anti-Semitism lies.
In January 2021, all Bundesliga clubs have adopted the IHRA working definition on anti-Semitism International Holocaust Rememberance Alliance accepted. FC Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge explained on this occasion: “Anti-Semitism has no place in our society. Adopting the IHRA definition is a good example of how civil society can counter discrimination and hatred.”
The problem with such definitions seems to be filling these words with life. At least at FC Bayern Munich. Because when dealing with the Instagram post shared by Noussair Mazraoui wishing the Palestinians “victory,” not only is there an apology from the player himself missing. There are also no consequences from the club.
The published press release lacks any classification of the player’s statements. The chairman of FC Bayern München AG, Jan-Christian Dreesen, can only be quoted with a general statement in which he half-heartedly apologizes for the player: “Noussair Mazraoui has credibly assured us that, as a peace-loving person, he firmly rejects terror and war. He regrets if his posts have caused any irritation.” The word anti-Semitism is not even included in the statement.
Anti-Semitism must have consequences
Those responsible at 1. FSV Mainz 05 have shown that there is another way. They released their striker Anwar El Ghazi with immediate effect because of an anti-Semitic post, citing the fact that the player’s comments were not in line with the club’s values. In a post, El Ghazi shared a slogan that denies Israel’s right to exist and which the Berlin public prosecutor’s office has now classified as clearly anti-Semitic and punishable.
Mazraoui’s now-deleted post was also clearly anti-Semitic. Israel was also deprived of its right to exist. However, it is not possible for a clearly anti-Semitic statement to be neither named as such nor have any consequences for the player. A personal statement from the player asking for forgiveness would have been the minimum. And it is also possible to label and condemn Hamas’ terror as anti-Semitic while mourning the Jewish victims in Israel and the civilian victims in Gaza. Even for a Bundesliga professional.
Anti-Semitism, especially Israel-related anti-Semitism, is no trivial matter. People are dying. People are threatened here in Germany. Incendiary devices thrown at a synagogue. In the past two weeks alone, anti-Semitic attacks have increased massively here. In the first week after the Hamas massacres, the federal association RIAS reported an average of 22 verified, Israel-related anti-Semitic attacks per day. And FC Bayern… is silent. Like so many other sports associations and clubs. But at FC Bayern there are more and more cases in which people fail to clearly commit to human rights and act accordingly.
There is also no clear position with Rubiales and Boateng
Instead, those responsible repeatedly avoid taking a clear position on human rights issues in public. In the last two months alone, the club would have had the opportunity to clearly position itself several times. For example, when it came to the attack by the now suspended Spanish association president Luis Rubiales. To date, the club has not distanced itself from the statement made by its supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who trivialized the actions of his ex-UEFA colleague Luis Rubiales.
When it came to being clear about the allegations against Jêróme Boateng, the allegations of violent attacks against his ex-partner that were being heard in court were declared a “private matter”. Despite the awareness concept “Care”, which promises a clear positioning of FC Bayern when it comes to discrimination, hatred and violence – at all levels of the club.
And now anti-Semitism is also on the list of human rights, about which those responsible within FC Bayern Munich AG prefer to remain silent. Symbolic gestures have to be used, such as the undoubtedly generous donations to the Jewish community in Munich. But when it comes to taking action, taking a clear stance against anti-Semitism and having the appropriate consequences follow if a player behaves in an anti-Semitic manner, then nothing simply happens.
Size social Responsibility
A club, especially when it has such a large, global and diverse fan base, has an equally great social responsibility. It’s not just the club’s players who reach millions of people worldwide with their social media channels and statements. Also the club itself.
It’s simply not enough to hold up banners that say something about respect and anti-racism. It is not enough to illuminate the Munich arena in rainbow colors if there is no life, no real conviction behind the symbolic gesture. Then all these statements are nothing more than marketing. And it’s not enough to stand up after a player makes an anti-Semitic statement and say: He didn’t mean that.
Application for Amendment to the Articles of Association is imminent
Especially not if the application to change the statutes of the eV, which after all has the majority stake in FC Bayern München AG, is passed at the annual general meeting of FC Bayern on November 11th and 12th, 2023. Then the word “values” should be added to paragraph 2 “Purpose and tasks”.. And under 3 it says that the club “anti-constitutional, xenophobic and anti-democratic efforts and any other form of discriminatory, inhumane or anti-Semitic attitudes […]” resolutely opposes.
It remains to be seen how the association will then encourage the AG to implement these guidelines in professional football. In any case, the way those responsible for professional football are refusing to position themselves and take responsibility is not possible.