The FC Bayern Munich football club is currently taking a strong stand against racism during the International Weeks Against Racism, which runs until March 30, 2025. As part of its ongoing initiative "Rot gegen Rassismus" (Red Against Racism), Bayern is organizing a range of activities to promote diversity and inclusivity both within and beyond the realm of sports.
This year, the renowned club is hosting a joint workshop with FC St. Pauli on March 29, 2025, at the Allianz Arena, themed "Zwei Clubs – eine Haltung" (Two Clubs – One Stance). Members from both clubs will engage in discussions led by external experts, seeking to foster sensitivity towards discrimination. FC Bayern's president, Herbert Hainer, expressed the significance of this collaboration. He stated, "With 'Rot gegen Rassismus', we regularly show a stance against every form of discrimination and aim for a sustainable dialogue on diversity issues. We are excited about the exchange with FC St. Pauli, as it is vital that we all work together to promote sensitivity regarding issues like racism, regardless of which club we belong to. It is about understanding different perspectives. There should be no room for exclusion in sports or society."
The club is also set to make visible commitments during matches of its professional teams, including both men's and women's football and basketball, emphasizing the campaign "Together! Stop Hate. Be a team," initiated by the DFL (German Football League). Players will don warm-up shirts featuring the "Rot gegen Rassismus" logo, while team mascots will join in with specially designed jerseys. Additionally, the Allianz Arena, FC Bayern Campus, SAP Garden, and BMW Park will showcase banners, corner flags, and captain's armbands championing the initiative.
The FC Bayern women's team will organize events in the Bundesliga against Bayer Leverkusen on March 30, 2025, contributing to this important cause. Moreover, the basketball team will participate in the campaign with games against Rostock on March 22, 2025, and Euroleague matches against Partizan Belgrade on March 27, 2025.
To further support the initiative, new merchandises such as a "Rot gegen Rassismus" cap and keychain are now available online and in FC Bayern Stores. These items complement the popular "Rot gegen Rassismus" hoodie and shirt, with proceeds benefiting organizations dedicated to promoting diversity.
The "Rot gegen Rassismus" initiative was founded five years ago following a rise in racist incidents at German stadiums and the tragic attack in Hanau, aimed at promoting diversity and tackling discrimination in all forms. Since its inception, the initiative has facilitated several projects focusing on anti-discrimination efforts, remembrance culture, and inclusion. The guiding principle of the initiative is "Encounters," advocating sports as a platform where individuals from various backgrounds come together, overcome barriers, and achieve collective success.
In a sporting context, Bayern is preparing to play against FC St. Pauli on the 27th matchday of the Bundesliga on March 29, 2025. The match, starting at 15:30 in Allianz Arena, presents Bayern with an opportunity to solidify its position in the league. A victory over the struggling St. Pauli team could maintain their six-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen in a tightly contested race at the top of the table. However, Bayern has faced some challenges recently, experiencing a difficult couple of matches in the Bundesliga, following a commanding 5-0 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League Round of 16. Bayern's last games consist of a disappointing home loss to Bochum at 2-3 and a draw against Union Berlin at 1-1, further complicating their title chase.
Amidst the backdrop of these ups and downs, fans will be eagerly tuning in to watch the match live. Coverage will be provided on Sky Bundesliga 02, starting from 15:15, along with a simultaneous broadcast on Sky Bundesliga 01 for those wanting to catch conference coverage.
The upcoming match is crucial for both clubs; while Bayern seeks to extend their lead in the standings, FC St. Pauli aims to strengthen its five-point cushion above the relegation zone. With the intensity of the Bundesliga bubbling up, will St. Pauli manage to hold their ground or will Bayern predictably come out on top? This game not only embodies the sporting spirit but also reinforces the values against discrimination promoted through their joint efforts during this significant campaign.
