FC Bayern has been flying to Qatar for a winter training camp for a number of years – the record champions have repeatedly been criticized for this and the sponsorship agreement with the Emirate.Image: IMAGO/MIS/IMAGO/MIS
Bundesliga
Professional football and Qatar have often gotten in each other’s way in the past few weeks, months and years. Most recently at the controversial World Cup in November and December in the emirate, which has repeatedly been criticized for the poor human rights situation.
In the past few days, Qatar has once again come to the fore. This time because FC Bayern held their winter training camp there and because Oliver Kahn, CEO of the German record champions, flew to the emirate to negotiate a new sponsorship contract with “Qatar Airways”. The German record champion has been promoting the Qatari airline for four and a half years now and is estimated to receive between 17 and 25 million euros a year for it.
Oliver Kahn announces talks with Qatar Airways
This contract expires next summer. That’s why there are always discussions about whether the German record champions should continue working with the Qatari state company. In an interview with the “picture” Kahn announced before leaving for the training camp in Qatar.
Criticism was raised again. Human rights organizations complained that Bayern would thereby indirectly support human rights violations. The counter-argument of the club bosses is often the same: the partnership with Qatar would promote positive developments in human and labor rights.
Michael Ott cannot understand this reasoning. He is a Bayern fan and member. In 2021 he initiated a motion for the annual general meeting in November, which caused a stir. The aim of the application was that sponsorship agreements with Qatar Airways or other companies owned by the Emirate of Qatar should be allowed to expire and not be renewed or newly concluded.
Michael Ott during the General Assembly 2022.Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Ott has a clear opinion on the current rumors that the sponsorship deal with Qatar will be extended. He explained to watson: “FC Bayern is making it too easy for themselves when they say they can contribute to changes in Qatar. The sponsorship deal is designed to give the emirate a positive image that distracts from the problems. This supports an existing system that violates human rights.”
Another argument for extending the cooperation between the emirate and the club can often be broken down very simply: Money is important to be successful – especially in the Champions League, which is the top priority for FC Bayern. In November 2021, former Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge justified the contract with “Qatar Airways” from his time on the board in the WDR2 podcast “Football belongs to many”: “This is how you stay competitive against clubs like Manchester City with Abu Dhabi, Chelsea with Abramovich, PSG with Qatar or Manchester United with Americans.”
Ott criticizes money argument
An argument that doesn’t count for Ott: “Nevertheless, we can’t afford it. The framework for our options for action is set by human rights. That’s why FC Bayern cannot take part in the image washing of a regime that violates human rights – no matter how much money is spent on it.”
In addition, clubs like Manchester City, Newcastle United or Paris St. Germain have completely different requirements – they are all owned by a ruling family and would therefore be in different financial spheres. “FC Bayern, on the other hand, only gets money for sleeve sponsorship.” At the same time, many fans would prefer to sell themselves to such a regime even less.
“The membership is also divided.”
Bayern member Michael Ott
A possible solution that Ott sees would be stricter financial fair play, so that the influence of regimes on football would be reduced. FC Bayern is committed to this. “But taking money from Qatar at the same time is in a certain way schizophrenic and ineffective,” adds Ott.
Only in the summer did Uefa put a new regulation into effect. From the 2025/26 season, clubs are allowed only use 70 percent of their income for player and coach salaries, transfers and agent payments. Transitional regulations will be in place over the next few years to ensure that the step does not suddenly have too drastic an effect. In the 2023/24 season it can still be 90 percent, in 2024/25 only 80 percent.
Ott isn’t the only Bayern fan to criticize his club’s close partnership with the Arab country, however. However, not all members see it that way. Ott explains to watson: “The membership is also divided. There are also fans who support the club’s management and are geared towards maximum greed. I think that’s a shame, but that’s a fact.”
Bayern President Herbert Hainer had announced closer dialogue with fans and members.Image: dpa / Angelika Warmuth
However, what has improved in the course of the discussion about Qatar sponsorship at FC Bayern is the exchange between the club bosses and the fans. President Herbert Hainer announced this after the 2021 Annual General Meeting. According to Ott, the dialogue also improved afterwards. “I also think that’s a good thing,” emphasizes Ott. But the 30-year-old also adds: “But it is unclear to what extent this is meant seriously or whether the opinion of the club management was already clear in advance and the exchange was only encouraged in order to be able to show any action at all.”
An indication of the thesis is that Oliver Kahn flew to Qatar to negotiate there as well. You have “obviously already formed your own opinion internally,” says Ott.
EU puts flight agreement with Qatar on hold, Bavaria continues to negotiate
In the negotiations between Qatar and FC Bayern, the lawyer is also surprised by another thing: the relationship between the EU and the Emirate. After the corruption scandal surrounding the Greek politician Eva Kaili in the European Parliament and the involvement with Qatar became known, the politics at a distance from a transport agreement that has yet to be ratified. As a result, airlines from Qatar can operate more flights to the EU.
Ott is therefore suspicious: “Even the EU is cautious here when it comes to a partnership with Qatar, and at the same time FC Bayern is happily continuing to negotiate. I find that highly questionable.”
“The women’s team in Qatar, for example, campaigned for women’s rights. It’s important to do the same with the men’s team.”
Bayern member Michael Ott
The long-time Bayern member also finds the implementation of the annual winter training camp problematic. Although the Munich stars have good sporting conditions there to prepare for the second half of the season, Ott’s political commitment during this time is neglected. He explains: “FC Bayern is giving the Emirate of Qatar a nice stage to decorate itself with the stars. That could also be used differently: In Qatar, for example, the women’s team campaigned for women’s rights. It’s important to do the same with the men’s team as they would get a lot more attention.”
Should Bayern nevertheless extend the contract with Qatar, Ott would remain a member. In an interview with watson, he makes it clear: “You still have to do your best so that FC Bayern behaves a little more decently in this bad situation. The problems have to be addressed publicly. That remains a necessity and it needs people who demand it .”
Last Sunday, donations were once again collected for a good cause at the “Schauinsland Reisen Cup” in Gummersbach. On Sunday, the Schwalbe Arena in Gummersbach became a football and celebrity stronghold again.
