First a tour of the Allianz Arena, then a change of leadership - it was a special visit to FC Bayern's stadium as the Bavarian Parliament fan club, which was founded in October 2022, held a meeting to set their course in the very place where Manuel Neuer and his colleagues usually set the tone on the pitch. Ulrike Scharf, Minister of State for Family, Labour and Social Affairs from the CSU, took over the fan club chairmanship from former Minister of State Wolfgang Heubisch (FDP). "Good cooperation with the state and the city is important to us," said FC Bayern deputy CEO Michael Diederich, welcoming the 37 MPs: "We are delighted that you are taking a look behind the scenes at the Allianz Arena today." Scharf, wearing a matching red jacket and a Mia san Mia scarf, thanked everyone for the invitation to the Allianz Arena: "It's impressive to see the power and energy that is generated here when 75,000 people cheer on FC Bayern. And the joy of the game is also good for us, despite all the debates we always have."
70 members
The idea for the fan club was born a few years ago during a discussion between Bayern president Herbert Hainer and Heubisch. At the inauguration ceremony in the parliament building at the Maximilianeum, there were 46 members. Now there are 70. Hainer had travelled there directly from the 3-0 win away at Barcelona in the Champions League. The meeting at the Allianz Arena was the third between the club and its fans from the state parliament. Last May, Diederich had dropped by for an exchange. "Back then, we sat together for over three hours – that's how much interest there was. Regular dialogue is what characterises our club, and it's nice that a tradition is developing here," said the FCB board member. In his farewell speech, Heubisch said that the fan club had become "a great group that transcends political groups. FC Bayern also brings people with different views together." The fan club is made up of cross-party members, but without representatives of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). This is also the case with the FC Bayern fan club in the German Federal Parliament, which was founded in 2014.
Scharf gave special praise to the FC Bayern Women's team, who are well on their way to winning the double of league and cup for the first time in their history this year: "What they are achieving is fantastic." Diederich agreed with her: "These players are wonderful ambassadors for FC Bayern, and our basketball players also show that our club is more than the men's football team." Scharf echoed this sentiment and also emphasised the club's social commitment: "They make an important contribution to society." The event was characterised by a convivial atmosphere as parties united for an evening under the umbrella of FC Bayern.
In March, FC Bayern held its first fan club meeting outside Europe:
