‘Red against Racism’ event: Third exchange between FC Bayern and St. Pauli

"What can I do specifically if I hear discriminatory slogans in the stadium?” The question comes from the middle of the room. A lively discussion ensues at the Millerntorstadion: No small talk, no platitudes - experiences are discussed, as are insecurities, doubts and people’s common desire to improve their commitment to diversity. The event ‘Two clubs - one attitude: best practices against discrimination’ is a safe space in which 30 members of FC Bayern and FC St. Pauli meet openly.

Over 200 FCB members had registered for the workshop, explained Benny Folkmann, managing director of FC Bayern e.V. and, alongside Andreas Werner, head of the club's ‘Red against Racism’ initiative. However, the framework was "deliberately kept small in order to create a safe space in which we can all learn from each other and engage in discussions". This is the third time the two clubs have implemented a joint activation on the issue of diversity. "When two clubs, which at first glance often appear to be located in different worlds in terms of sport and culture, act as one on a particular issue, it sends a message," said Folkmann: "Combating discrimination is not a question of club colours. It's a shared responsibility." Oke Göttlich, president of FC St. Pauli, agreed: "Clubs are incredibly important cells for democratic coexistence. Last year, with our members, we were guests of FC Bayern, and now we're sitting here together at the Millerntor - we're proud of what has developed here between us."

Looking the other way is not an option

Folkmann, long-standing St. Pauli supervisory board member Roger Hasenbein and Niklas Grabbe from the host club had already made it clear in their welcoming address what the event was about: we encounter discrimination in everyday life, on public transport, on the street - and also in stadiums. Looking the other way is not an option. It takes organisation, courage and structures to resolutely take action against it. Everyone then went on a tour of the stadium with various stops: At the memorial plaque on the club's history during the National Socialist era, it became clear how important a culture of remembrance is in order to responsibly shape the present. The St. Pauli Museum outlined an arc between historical reappraisal and current fan and club culture. In addition, services such as the interpreting area for people with a hearing impairment were discussed: accessibility in practice, not as an add-on, but as a natural part of the stadium experience.

During the members' exchange with Göttlich, Folkmann and Patrick Mushatsi-Kareba (managing director of sales & marketing at FC St. Pauli), it became clear how similar the challenges both clubs face are. They discussed accessibility in the stadiums, respectful treatment of match officials, training for stewards in the event of discriminatory incidents and possible action if right-wing extremist fan groups form. Mushatsi-Kareba reminded everyone how important it is to "not only look at deficits, but also at what has already been achieved - as encouragement to keep going". Fittingly, Erik-Maurice Böhm, Theresa Grosfeld and Rio Grumbrecht from the “Red against Racism” core team discussed the FCB initiative for diversity with everyone present: the guiding principle is “Encounters”, and the event in the league room at the Millerntor represented that.

The afternoon thus became an example of how important it is when two clubs join forces. "Working against discrimination is not a project with an end date, but a process that requires honest reflection, open dialogue and a constant willingness to question oneself," concluded Folkmann. "This 'Two clubs - one attitude' event shows that Football can be exactly that place - if we make it so together."

Katharina Naschenweg and Karin Danner at the ‘Red against Racism’ project: