Background & history
FC Bayern has developed an awareness concept with representatives from the Südkurve (South stand) and the Fanprojekt München (Munich fan project), which is run by AWO München Stadt. The aim of OBACHT is to foster a culture of watchfulness at FC Bayern’s venues and to make attending the club’s home matches even safer. In this initiative, the Bavarian term OBACHT (watch out) stands for looking out for one another, keeping an eye on one another, supporting and respecting one another – and ensuring that help is on hand should anyone need it. In doing so, we recognise that addressing transgressive and discriminatory behaviour must also be an ever-present and indispensable priority at FC Bayern.
FC Bayern's position
FC Bayern does not tolerate behaviour that crosses boundaries, is transgressive or discriminatory. We want to encourage our members, fans and staff to be watchful and listen, to speak out, to discuss and to challenge – to help and stand up for one another. Respect and tolerance are key values in sport, which we promote and are committed to upholding. We want to create a culture of watchfulness.
Based on its history, values and social responsibility, FC Bayern takes a clear and unequivocal stand for diversity, open-mindedness and tolerance. Together with all our teams, all our players from the most diverse nations, and all our fans, members, staff, partners and friends, we stand for a world in which there is no place for discrimination, racism, hatred, injustice, intolerance and violence. To this end, FC Bayern is committed to taking concrete action and launching initiatives against discrimination of any kind. Anyone who refuses to accept this is clearly in the wrong club.
The club firmly opposes any anti-constitutional, xenophobic or anti-democratic tendencies, as well as any other form of discriminatory or inhumane attitudes, particularly those based on nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual identity or disability. This also applies to any form of violence, whether physical or psychological. The club offers children, young people and adults a sporting and values-based home, regardless of their background, skin colour, faith, gender, sexual orientation or social status
We stick together. We are a club, a community; we function as a team.
Key terms
To allow us to identify transgressive behaviour and develop appropriate ways of addressing it, we should first discuss a few key terms:
Awareness
Awareness describes a way of drawing attention to discrimination and privilege, and of supporting people who have experienced transgressive behaviour in dealing with it.
Being aware means being mindful and sensitive, watchful, speaking out and offering support when needed. Awareness means creating and fostering a considerate, responsible and supportive way of interacting with one another.
Bias and the power to define
It is always the victim who determines which actions cross a personal boundary and when an assault or discrimination begins, and this must not be called into question. All steps taken will be done only in consultation with the victim. In line with a victim-centred approach, we take a clear stance on this matter and stand in solidarity with the victim.
Discrimination
Discrimination is any form of unjustified disadvantage or unequal treatment of individuals or groups, or violence against them, on the basis of various observable or non-observable characteristics. Observable characteristics include, for example, age, disability, or ethnic background based on migration history, language, gender or skin colour. Non-observable characteristics include, for example, ideology, religion or sexual orientation. The glossary provides more detailed definitions of only a few common forms of discrimination.
Objectives & target group
At FC Bayern’s match venues and club facilities, all players, fans, spectators and staff should feel comfortable and safe. We want to create spaces for everyone and foster a culture of being watchful. As part of this, we expect all visitors, club members, players, staff and fans to embrace this ethos as part of our club. This will help ensure a safer stadium experience for everyone, irrespective of their background, religion, identity, sexual orientation or gender.
Any form of discrimination can also have a structural dimension. Discrimination is not always as obvious as an insult; it does not have to be intentional, yet it is potentially painful for victims and has a negative impact on their lives.
We stand in solidarity with everyone affected by transgressive behaviour and discrimination. It is up to the victim to define what constitutes inappropriate behaviour and discrimination, as they are the ones who set their own boundaries.
Raising awareness is a step towards improvement and concerns not only others, but ourselves as well. We see it as our duty to draw attention to this attitude and to promote it. FC Bayern takes responsibility for what happens within our sphere of influence.
Our OBACHT awareness concept aims to provide a framework for making the club’s match venues and facilities safer, and therefore
- Provide guidance on how to be watchful and deal with unacceptable behaviour
- Communicate support services and points of contact
- Raise awareness of the issue and foster a culture of being watchful
- OBACHT is there for everyone. You don’t need to be able to classify or name the nature of the discrimination; every instance of transgressive behaviour is taken seriously. Anyone who feels unsafe or uncomfortable, for whatever reason, can contact OBACHT by telephone or by scanning the QR codes.
The aim of the club is to use this concept to foster a sense of ‘Mia san mia’. In this context, this is understood as experiencing positive self-esteem within the group – for which it is essential to make people feel welcome just as they are.
Restoring the victim’s sense of security and autonomy forms the basis for all subsequent steps.
Our plan of action: OBACHT!
Awareness-raising work is based on three pillars: attitude, prevention and intervention. These three pillars of awareness are interdependent, dynamic and constantly adapt to the times and the situation. They involve (ongoing) (self-)reflection. This means that the approach must be regularly reviewed and adapted to current circumstances.
Stance
Transgressive, abusive and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated at FC Bayern. We want to encourage our members, fans and staff to be watchful and listen, to speak out, to discuss and to challenge – to help and stand up for one another. Respect and tolerance are key values in sport, which we promote and are committed to upholding. Any overstepping of boundaries or disregard for our values will be investigated.
See also: FC Bayern’s position
Prevention
During workshops and regular meetings of the Awareness Working Group, projects and initiatives – such as those aimed at raising awareness of the helpdesk – are planned and discussed. The aim is to reduce transgressive behaviour through preventive measures, embedding attitudes, information and education, as well as other measures, such as those relating to infrastructure.
Intervention & OBACHT as a point of contact
Intervention refers to all measures that involve taking action in a specific situation – in particular, this section discusses the specific actions taken by the OBACHT team on matchdays and describes the procedures in more detail.
OBACHT team composition
On home matchdays, awareness work is carried out under the name OBACHT by the Munich Crisis Intervention Team (KIT-München) of the ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund or Workers' Samaritan Foundation). FC Bayern commissions the KIT, but the club has no authority to issue instructions to KIT staff. Cases are handled confidentially and anonymously. Wherever the OBACHT team is mentioned below, this always refers to the staff of KIT München who are on hand to assist victims on matchdays. The team members can be recognised by their uniforms.
Contacting the OBACHT team on matchdays
The victim, or even a bystander, can contact the OBACHT team directly via location-based QR codes. The QR codes are displayed on posters located throughout the venue. The QR codes are active for 2 hours before the event starts and for 45 minutes afterwards. Scanning the QR code opens a chat, establishes a connection with the OBACHT team and transmits the poster’s location. There is also the option to make contact by telephone. The OBACHT team will get in touch with the victim via the chat. In addition to the QR codes, the OBACHT team can also be contacted via the Allianz Arena app during matches at the Allianz Arena.
Procedure following a report on a matchday
The OBACHT team visits the location of the report and speaks to the victim as soon as they come forward. What happens next is always determined by the victim; the OBACHT team is there to support them and help them deal with the situation. All further measures and their possible consequences are discussed with them.
Possible measures the OBACHT team could take at the request of and together with the victim would be, for example:
- Retreating to the safer space
- Talking about the experience
- Removing the transgressing person (with the security staff and, if necessary, the police)
- Escorting them back to their seat / their group
- Exiting the stadium with them / making sure they set off home safely / calling them a taxi
Safer space
The safer space offers a safer and quieter environment for discussions or to help the victim calm down. It can be visited alongside the OBACHT team at the request of the victim. The exact location is not made public to protect the victim.
Follow-up support after a matchday / aftercare
After the initial contact on a matchday, every victim is then offered follow-up support. The acceptance of this offer and thus the disclosure of personal data lies entirely with the victim; nothing happens without active consent. The OBACHT team takes over or arranges further treatment on its own responsibility and independently of FC Bayern.
Contact outside of matchdays
OBACHT can also be contacted outside of matchdays - anonymously if desired - via e-mail at
This e-mail address has been set up specifically and exclusively for this purpose. All information and concerns sent to it will of course be treated confidentially and read by a person from Team Sustainability who has been trained in the issue of awareness.
PRINCIPLES OF AWARENESS WORK
Victim-centred approach
The OBACHT team adopts a victim-centred approach. This means the victim is at the heart of the work and the OBACHT team adapts to their needs. Further steps are only ever taken in consultation with the victim.
Confidentiality, anonymity & transparency
Discussions between the victim and the OBACHT team are confidential. In general, the content of incidents and conversations as well as the identity of a person remain as anonymous as possible. If the situation requires a departure from these principles, for example in order to fulfil the request of a victim for consequences, this will be made transparent to the victim.
Accused person / consequences
Here, too, action is taken in accordance with the wishes of the victim. The OBACHT team is not bound by instructions from FC Bayern, but can call in other agencies, in the first instance in particular, the FC Bayern Munich security staff. FC Bayern Munich's security staff have domiciliary rights in the Allianz Arena and can therefore resolve situations at the request of the victim, for example by also ejecting people from the stadium and, if necessary, calling in other emergency services - at the request and only with the express consent of the victim.
Who we are & partnerships
KIT München (the Crisis Intervention Team of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund or Workers' Samaritan Foundation) acts as the primary OBACHT team, carrying out awareness-raising work on matchdays at the Allianz Arena. When this concept refers to the OBACHT team, it is precisely these contact persons who are meant. They are authorised by FC Bayern Munich as part of the OBACHT concept, but are not bound by any instructions. The KIT operates according to an internally developed set of guidelines.
The FC Bayern Munich Awareness Working Group comprises representatives from the Südkurve (South stand) and the Fanprojekt München (Munich fan project), as well as FC Bayern staff. The Awareness Working Group meets at least once a month to work on the issues outlined here and to further develop the concept.
Südkurve München (Munich South Stand)
The active fan community had already discussed the issue of awareness internally and approached FC Bayern with the request to develop a concept for the stadium as well. Representatives of the fan community were involved in drawing up the concept in an advisory capacity and put forward ideas and requests from the fans’ perspective. The collaboration extends beyond the development and implementation of the concept and will continue to address issues such as behaviour and prevention. In addition to this collaboration, the fan community has developed its own internal concept for events and everyday fan life in the Südkurve München.
Find out more (German only)
Fanprojekt München (Munich fan project)
Essentially, the fan project forms part of the Awareness Working Group, which comprises representatives from FC Bayern, active fans from the Südkurve, and the fan project. Within this framework, the Munich fan project plays a supporting, advisory and guiding role for the club, for example in the development of the concept, as well as on an ad hoc basis in relation to future prevention initiatives.
Find out more (German only)
ASB / Munich Crisis Intervention Team (KIT-München)
The KIT -München or Munich Crisis Intervention Team, run by the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund München/Oberbayern e.V. (Workers' Samaritan Foundation), operates as the OBACHT team, comprising psychologically trained specialists who are not bound by any instructions from FC Bayern Munich. They provide victim-centred emergency psychosocial support at the stadium.
Find out more (German only)
Network Against Sexism & Sexualised Violence
The Network Against Sexism and Sexualised Violence was established in early 2019 with the aim of raising awareness of sexism and sexual violence in a footballing context. We aim to bring together local and national initiatives from fan groups, clubs and fan projects working in the field of social education, and to help connect the various stakeholders in this area. To this end, a workshop was held at the start of the joint collaboration between the fan community, the fan project and the club, with a representative from the network.
Find out more (German only)
Munich Women's Emergency Helpline
The Munich Women’s Emergency Helpline plays an advisory role in this awareness initiative. They support the Awareness Working Group in both prevention and intervention, as well as in training the OBACHT team’s contact persons. In future, they will also assist with the evaluation of the concept.
Find out more (German only)
Outlook: What does the future hold?
Evaluation & reflection
This concept is reviewed and updated at regular intervals. It is evaluated every six months, and work on the areas of prevention and attitude continues on an ongoing basis.
Expansion of the service to all venues
The OBACHT concept is currently available at all FC Bayern home games at the Allianz Arena and at BMW Park. The aim is for the offer to be available at all future FC Bayern events. The concept is thus being gradually expanded.
Glossary: Forms of discrimination
Firstly, it should be noted that this list is by no means exhaustive; however, the forms of discrimination listed here are those most commonly encountered in a footballing context. It should also be noted that the victim does not need to fall into one of these categories. Anyone can contact OBACHT, and everyone will be offered assistance.
Multiple discrimination
People who experience discrimination – that is, exclusion or disadvantage – on more than one ground are affected by multiple discrimination.
Ableism
Ableism refers to the discrimination of others on the basis of their physical or mental abilities.
Anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism refers to hostility and discrimination towards people of the Jewish faith. This hostility stems from both religious and racial prejudices.
Antiziganism (also known as anti-Roma sentiment)
Antiziganism refers to a negative and hostile attitude towards Sinti and Roma. This hostility stems from racist prejudices and distorted portrayals that deny Sinti and Roma equal access to rights, opportunities and participation in social and economic life.
Anti-LGBT bias
Anti-LGBT bias refers to discrimination against people whose gender identities or sexual orientations do not conform to the binary – that is, ‘male’ and ‘female’ – or to heterosexuality. This form of discrimination includes, amongst other things, homophobia and transphobia.
Racism
Racism involves discriminating against, marginalising and devaluing people on the basis of their perceived origin, skin colour, physical appearance, name or language. Racism is the belief that there are different ‘races’ of people and, furthermore, that these ‘races’ have a hierarchy or order. Through racism, individuals – unique human beings – are lumped together into a group, devalued, marginalised, harmed and disadvantaged.
Sexism
Sexism is the personal and societal discrimination against people on the basis of their gender. It can be directed against any gender or gender identity, although it predominantly affects women.
Sexualised discrimination & violence
Sexualised discrimination and violence refers to any psychological, physical or verbal behaviour of a sexual nature that is perceived by the victim as being inappropriate – that is, unwanted, degrading or hurtful – or that is intended to have that effect. Sexualised discrimination and violence is a specific form of exercising and abusing power and control.
Sexualised violence is any violation of a person’s sexual autonomy. Sexualised violence and sexualised abuse of power refer to acts of a sexual nature carried out without the consent or capacity to consent of the person concerned.
- verbal sexual violence (e.g. sexist jokes, sexually suggestive comments, messages or images with sexual content),
- sexual boundary violations (e.g. inappropriate touching or massages, undressing in front of others or exhibitionism),
- non-verbal sexual violence (e.g. kissing, sexual touching, attempted sex and penetrative sex against the victim’s will).