What was the Champions League summit meeting for the FC Bayern players turned into a nerve-wracking and dangerous away trip for many of their supporters. Even before the ball rolled at the Emirates Stadium, the situation escalated – and it became even more dramatic after the final whistle. The Bayern fans experienced a night in London that once again raised fundamental questions about security and how to deal with away supporters.
A tense atmosphere had already built up hours before kick-off, but immediately before the game there was a scene that is representative of the problems that away fans have faced in the Champions League for years: As reported by tz, the London security forces prevented a Bayern banner from being put up and at the same time tried to chase the pre-singers away from the place they had previously agreed with the club. For the FCB supporters, who had duly followed all the instructions beforehand, this seemed like pure provocation.
„Completely unnecessary“, reported eyewitnesses, as all the details – fence flags, positions of the pre-singers, procedure in front of the block – had been clearly regulated between FCB and the stewards. However, this information had obviously not reached many stewards – or was deliberately ignored.
The result: a brief but violent scuffle between Bayern fans and the stewards, which unnecessarily inflamed the situation. A short time later, around 40 security personnel positioned themselves provocatively in front of the visitors‘ block, reinforcing the impression that this was less about security than a demonstration of power.
Kettles, attacks, injuries – the dramatic departure after the final whistle
But the real shock came after Munich’s 3:1 defeat. Numerous Bayern supporters were surrounded by London police as they left the stadium. What eyewitnesses described sounds like a completely disproportionate measure: the officers aggressively attacked some of the fans for no understandable reason. According to the newspaper tz, there were allegedly blows, pushing and sudden attacks. Some Munich fans were injured, some even had to be taken to hospital, according to reports from the fan scene.
Once again, the supporters felt reminded of the negative experiences of previous years: arbitrary attacks in Madrid or Seville, uncontrolled police measures in Paris, security problems in Italy. For German away fans in the premier class, such risks now seem to be a sad part of everyday life.
UEFA keeps quiet – away fans pay the price
The impression that such incidents are structurally tolerated in the Champions League is particularly bitter for Bayern supporters. For years, there has not been a single severe sanction against home clubs when their security services or local police forces have acted excessively. Away fans, on the other hand, who sometimes only react or get into chaotic situations, regularly have to reckon with collective punishments.
Last night in London was a seamless continuation of this series: Bayern fans were harassed despite agreed procedures, banners were banned despite clear instructions, and supporters were surrounded, harassed and sometimes injured despite peaceful intentions.