Is a Political Storm Brewing at Bayern Munich? | OneFootball

A storm is brewing at Bayern Munich as two of their former players sent congratulatory messages to AfD leadership.

Sunday’s German federal election sprung a few surprises as the CDU/ CSU (Christian Democrats) won and look set to lead a coalition Government. However, leaders for the far-right AfD (Alternative for Deutschland) were also celebrating with 21% of the national vote.

Speaking to the press in Berlin just today, Alice Weidel, and Tino Chrupalla, leaders of the AfD were wallowing in the glow of their electoral success.

The world’s richest (and controversial) man, Elon Musk was quick to get in on the action following the AfD’s strong election result. Weidel said she has already received a personal message:

This morning, when I turned on my phone, I saw I had received calls and messages from the USA, including from Elon Musk with personal congratulations.

I will telephone today – with whom I won’t tell you here and now because it’s covered by a certain level of trust – but we’re in touch. We’re the power in Germany that is internationally recognised. We’re in contact with all sides and that includes the Trump administration.

Chrupalla added that he had received a large number of congratulatory messages, including from “two German national players, two former Bayern Munich players”.

This will create political shockwaves within Bayern Munich, whose leadership have been vocal in their opposition to the AfD.

In an interview with Kicker, Honorary President Uli Hoeneß (73) has repeatedly positioned himself against the AfD.

Before the federal election, Hoeneß said:

“If one of our players suddenly started advertising for the AfD, I would talk to him and ask him if he was out of his mind.”

“Hundreds, thousands drove through the streets with the black, red and gold flag because they were proud of our country. We have to get back to that. I would like to make it very clear that I do not want the AfD to be part of this process.”

Hoeneß stands by his position.

After the election, Hoeneß said “I stand by this speech, it was my private opinion.”

However, Bayern’s Honorary President is hopeful that Germany will come together once more:

“I am convinced that February 23 will be a turning point for our society. Everything is nowhere near as bad as some people here are making it out to be, and things will improve again in Germany if the right parties form the government.”

The former Bayern manager expects a government coalition of the CDU/CSU and SPD in the future.

“I assume and hope that we will have a black-red government and that the CDU/CSU will get 35 percent, which I think it should definitely have because we need clarity. If that all happens, I am very confident that things will get going in our country from Monday.”

Hoeneß has previously said that FC Bayern is “a wonderful role model for migration and integration. More than 50 percent of our young people have a migration background.”

If and when it emerges which former Bayern players sent congratulations to AfD leadership, they can expect a knock on the door from Hoeneß.

Hoeneß will not be alone.

Bayern Munich’s club president Herbert Hainer has already ruled out the possibility of an AfD politician becoming a member of a club committee.

“No, I cannot imagine that at all for a party that is classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a suspected right-wing extremist case, that divides our society and tries to undermine our democracy.”

“FC Bayern is aware of its social responsibility, and the free and democratic basic order in the Federal Republic is a unique asset.”

“When divisive forces are at work, it is a threat to the democracy that has brought us peace and freedom for decades”

For Hainer and Bayern, AfD are a threat to democracy and he expects his club and its former employees to be role models.

“There are certain points in a society where a club and its personalities should stand up and raise their voices.”

Hearing the news that former members of Bayern Munich’s squad actively support the AfD will upset the club’s leadership. We should expect an internal investigation is already taking place.

In a sport that unites the world, players have a social responsibility to not foster hate and division.

GGFN | Oscar O’Mara