FC Bayern Munich is set to make a bold statement against racism during their upcoming home match against FC St. Pauli at the Allianz Arena on March 29, 2025. As part of the International Weeks against Racism and the DFL matchday campaign ‘Together! Stop Hate. Be a Team,’ the club will don a special jersey featuring the slogan ‘Red against Racism.’ This initiative, launched five years ago, aims to promote diversity and combat discrimination in all its forms.
In a significant move, FC Bayern’s main sponsor, Deutsche Telekom, will step aside, allowing the players to sport the anti-racism message prominently on their chests. The visiting team, FC St. Pauli, will join the effort by wearing shirts emblazoned with their own campaign slogan, ‘No place for racism.’ This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both clubs to address social issues beyond the pitch.
FC Bayern president Herbert Hainer expressed the importance of collective action in raising awareness about racism and diversity. "With 'Red against Racism', we at FC Bayern regularly take a stand against all forms of discrimination and want to bring about a lasting debate on the topic of diversity. We’re delighted about the joint campaign with FC St. Pauli, because it’s important that we all work together to raise awareness of issues such as racism and diversity - regardless of which club we belong to. It's about a sense of perspective. There must be no place for exclusion either in sport or in our society," Hainer stated.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, the CEO of FC Bayern, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Deutsche Telekom and the impact of matchday campaigns. "We're delighted to be able to mark the DFL's 'Together! Stop Hate. Be a Team.' matchday campaign with the slogan of our club-wide initiative 'Red against Racism'. Huge thanks go to our partner Deutsche Telekom for this teamwork, which has an impact beyond the pitch. Matchday campaigns like this ensure visibility - and it's also important for us to take a stand all year round. We want to raise awareness of this together," he said.
Beyond the jerseys, FC Bayern will enhance visibility for their anti-racism message through various means, including warm-up shirts, captain's armbands, corner flags, and LED pitchside boards. The jerseys worn during the match will be auctioned off afterward, with proceeds directed toward organizations advocating for diversity and against discrimination. This initiative is part of a broader effort by FC Bayern to foster a culture of inclusion and remembrance.
In addition to the men’s team, FC Bayern Women will dedicate their home game against Leverkusen on March 30, 2025, to the ‘Red against Racism’ theme. The FC Bayern basketball team will also promote the message during their Euroleague match against Partizan Belgrade on March 27, 2025. The ‘Red Giants’ will display the slogan on their shooting shirts throughout the season.
The ‘Red against Racism’ initiative was established in 2020 following a series of racist incidents in German stadiums and the tragic attack in Hanau. The initiative aims to create a lasting commitment to diversity and has since organized numerous projects to combat discrimination and promote inclusion.
In conjunction with the match, a workshop will take place at the FC Bayern Campus on March 29, 2025. This event will bring together members from both FC Bayern and FC St. Pauli, including presidents Hainer and Oke Göttlich. The workshop aims to foster discussions on racism and diversity, further emphasizing the clubs’ commitment to these critical issues.
The collaboration between FC Bayern and FC St. Pauli is a powerful reminder of the role sports can play in addressing societal challenges. As Hainer noted, it is vital to work together to raise awareness and create a more inclusive environment in sports and society at large. The upcoming match represents not just a contest for points but a united front against racism.
As fans prepare for the match, the message is clear: football can be a force for good, and together, clubs can make a significant impact in the fight against discrimination. The ‘Red against Racism’ initiative serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for everyone to stand against hate and division.
In a world where discrimination continues to affect millions, initiatives like ‘Red against Racism’ remind us of the power of unity and the importance of standing together against injustice. As the players take to the field, they will not only be competing for victory but also championing a cause that resonates far beyond the game.
