A look at the packed room showed the unabated interest in this important topic - and the discussion on the podium justified it. The independent research commissioned by FC Bayern Munich was officially presented at the Institute of Contemporary History (IfZ) in Munich. On the podium, author Dr. Gregor Hofmann, Prof. Dr. Frank Bajohr (Director of the Centre for Holocaust Studies) and Anton Löffelmeier (Munich City Archive) devoted themselves to the topics discussed in the work "Teammates in the ethnic community. FC Bayern and National Socialism". What particular features shaped FC Bayern? And what role did football as a whole play during the Nazi dictatorship? The current state of the research was presented to around 120 guests, including many FC Bayern members, and the findings of the study were applied to the social history of football in Germany.
"The results of the study illustrate the range of behaviour of non-Jewish FC Bayern club members. They ranged from enthusiastic partisanship for National Socialism or even participation in crimes to courageous resistance," said Prof. Dr. Frank Bajohr. The head of the research commission, which FC Bayern awarded in November 2017, praised FC Bayern for its initiative. Since its completion in autumn 2022, the first comprehensive history of a German football club during the Nazi dictatorship has existed, which was extensively illuminated under the presentation of Prof. Dr. Martina Steber and even broadcast live to the adjoining room.
The study by Gregor Hofmann spans the period from the Empire to the Federal Republic of Germany and compares the history of FC Bayern with the developments at other major football clubs. Not only those members of the club who became victims of National Socialism during the years 1933 to 1945 are discussed, but also those who were followers or perpetrators of the ideology. The touring exhibition "Venerated - Persecuted - Forgotten: Victims of National Socialism at FC Bayern Munich" was also presented during the event.
Photos: Institute of Contemporary History
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