FC Bayern will again join in with this year's 'International Weeks against Racism' from 21 March to 2 April with numerous projects as part of the cross-club 'Reds Against Racism' initiative. FC Bayern Women kicked things off with a clip raising awareness of the topic. The team's Champions League quarter-final clash against Arsenal at the Allianz Arena tomorrow evening (kick-off 18:45 CEST) takes place on International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Herbert Hainer, president: "As FC Bayern we regularly reaffirm our stand against all forms of discrimination through our 'Reds Against Racism' initiative. We act throughout the year with various projects because this is an ongoing fight. Too many people think that racism doesn't affect them, even though everyday racism is a big problem. You have to understand and take in the right persepctives. Racism has no place in sport or in our society."
During the campaign period, FC Bayern will make an outward display at five of its professional teams' matches and also join in with the DFL '#StopRacism' initiative: FC Bayern Women vs Arsenal on 21 March, FC Bayern Women vs VfL Wolfsburg on 25 March, FC Bayern vs Borussia Dortmund on 1 April, FC Bayern Basketball vs AS Monaco on 31 March and FC Bayern Basketball vs MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg on 2 April. The players will wear warm-up shirts with the 'Reds Against Racism' logo, while themed centre circle banners, corner flags and captain's armbands will also be used, among other things. Partners of the German record champions will also be involved, for example with LED advertising boards. Fans will receive a free 'Reds Against Racism' pin with their purchases in the online fan shop, and a new addition to the range this year is the 'Reds Against Racism' hoodie and mug - as with the t-shirt, the proceeds will be donated to institutions that promote diversity and tolerance.
Clear stance: Alexander Straus, FC Bayern Women head coach, is also supporting "Reds Against Racism"
Furthermore, this year FC Bayern, together with educationalist Jennifer Danquah, is offering internal workshops and keynote speeches for employees on the topic of everyday racism under the leitmotif "Verein(t) für Vielfalt" ("united for diversity"). Since the initiative is directed against discrimination of any kind, there are also internal offerings on the topics of antisemitism and homophobia. To this end, the club works together with the Jewish community of Munich and Upper Bavaria and its fan club "Queerpass Bayern". Together with the Jewish community, tours of the synagogue are also organised for staff, members and fans. In addition, an internal action guideline on the topic of racism has been developed to give employees something concrete to do when incidents occur.
In the next few days, the departments of FC Bayern eV will also be organising many activities focusing on diversity and cosmopolitanism - for example, the chess department will be organising another international online tournament at the weekend to document their united stand against racism across borders.
Earlier this month, Herbert Hainer attended the City of Munich's memorial event for the deportation of the Sinti and Roma by the Nazis 80 years ago:
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