The sometimes heated discussions about Qatar sponsorship overshadowed the annual general meeting of FC Bayern. While some Bavarian grandees went on a confrontation course with the members, the chairman of the board was noticeably reserved.
“That was the worst event I have ever seen at FC Bayern,” said Uli Hoeneß at the end of a truly memorable event. And Hoeneß, who has been with the club for over 50 years, has seen almost everything at and with FC Bayern.
The annual general meeting of the record champions on Thursday evening will go down in the history books and the subject of Qatar will always play the central role. Opinions were divided on the sponsorship of FC Bayern with the desert state even before the meeting; in the Audi Dome, Bayern’s dealings with the sensitive issue and with its fans and critics remained an open wound.
FC Bayern: Sponsorship contracts with Qatar should be terminated or not extended
After the usual routine with speeches by President Herbert Hainer and Chief Executive Officer Oliver Kahn, the eagerly awaited item 9 “Motions” came about at around 9:30 pm. And about Michael Ott’s speech. As the head of an initiative, he had submitted an application in advance and on time for the termination or expiry of the partnership with Qatar Airways, which will last until 2023.
However, Otto’s request for a change in the statutes was rejected by the Munich Regional Court in the run-up to the meeting. The Bavarians were therefore “not obliged to advise on further sponsorship by ‘Qatar Airways'”. Ott nevertheless brought his point of view to the audience in the hall and insisted, among other things: “The sponsorship contracts with Qatar Airways and the Emirate of Qatar should be terminated with immediate effect or not be extended!” The members acknowledged Otts proposal with frenetic applause.
FC Bayern: Angry protests and dubious comparisons at the annual general meeting
Chairman of the meeting Prof. Dr. Dieter Mayer saw himself exposed to angry protests before and after Ott’s appearance. The Bayern vice-president insisted that a vote on an amendment to the statutes should not be accepted and instead drew some questionable comparisons. “The sponsorship contracts with Audi or Telekom should not be terminated in response to any applications either! In the end we will still play in the blue and white jersey,” said Mayer, earning loud whistles and boos.
Mayer rudely dismissed Ott’s renewed criticism. “Your spontaneous application, Mr. Ott, difficult terrain. I can make it clear that the regional court has determined that the association is not responsible for the Qatar decision. The spontaneous application is not covered by our statutes. It is regulated that Motions in the assembly can only be voted on if they are covered by the agenda. Incidentally, rejection does not mean that we will not discuss them, “said Mayer, his tone sharper after renewed expressions of displeasure by members. “Yes, what is it ?! I will not allow us to vote on illegal motions here!”
FCB President Hainer: “We at FC Bayern face every discourse”
The Bayern bosses, in turn, reacted very differently to the topic. While Oliver Kahn did not allow himself to be carried away with a specific statement regarding Qatar sponsorship in a 32-minute speech and hardly appeared in the following debate, President Herbert Hainer at least ostensibly chose a more offensive course.
“We at FC Bayern face any discourse,” said Hainer right at the beginning of the event. “Of course, criticism is allowed. But: The criticism should always be factual. A choice of words that is mean and cowardly does not fit the tone of FC Bayern.” Hainer reacted quite irritably to the whistles and boos. “Don’t you want to have a factual discussion? I can’t imagine that.”
After Hainer closed the meeting, the members took one more step. They even thought of the president with shouts of “Hainer out”.
In fact, objectivity fell by the wayside at the annual general meeting one time or another. It wasn’t just the members to blame for this, the Bayern bosses and their behavior continued to fuel the escalation. And the topic of Qatar is more topical than ever after this memorable evening.
