The relationship between FC Bayern and its active fan scene has been strained of late. Weeks of protests, mutual mistrust and harsh measures have shaped the picture. Now, for the first time, there is a cautious sign of relaxation – at a Champions League away match of all places
The starting point of the tense situation was a UEFA sanction following pyrotechnic incidents in the Champions League home match against Sporting Lisbon. Fan blocks were closed for the subsequent match against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. However, FC Bayern went further than stipulated by UEFA and closed not only individual areas, but the entire lower tier of the south curve
This decision caused massive resentment within the fan scene, with many supporters seeing the action as disproportionate collective punishment and a breach of the previous relationship between club and fans. The reaction was not long in coming. The protest visibly moved into the stadium, without fundamentally stopping support for the team
Protests in the stadium instead of on the street
At the home match against Union Saint-Gilloise, numerous active fans gathered in the upper tier of the south curve, although the lower tier was closed. Drums, megaphones and chants were used in an attempt to show an acoustic presence and circumvent the measure. This was accompanied by critical banners that were clearly directed against collective punishment and the club’s actions
Visible protests continued to take place in the games that followed. The fronts appeared hardened and the dialogue seemed deadlocked. The impression grew on both sides that the situation could escalate further if there was no rethink
Eindhoven as a turning point in the relationship
However, the subsequent Champions League away match at PSV Eindhoven showed a noticeably different approach. As reported by Sport1, FC Bayern officials sought intensive dialogue with the Dutch authorities in the run-up to the match. The aim was to prevent the originally planned personalized ticket collection – a point that regularly causes criticism within the fan scene
Instead, the club coordinated the journey, fan buses and organizational procedures closely with the supporters. For the first time in weeks, the focus was clearly on cooperation rather than confrontation. This approach paid off. It remained quiet in the visitors‘ block in Eindhoven, with neither pyrotechnics nor critical banners to be seen
SPORT1 chief reporter Stefan Kumberger assessed the situation accordingly: „Those responsible were naturally pleased that there was no further scandal.“ Internally, the fans‘ disciplined behavior was seen as a positive signal – not as a matter of course, but as a conscious decision
A cautious new beginning at eye level
The contrast to the previous weeks was clear. In Eindhoven, the common interest came to the fore again for the first time. The club actively sought dialogue and showed concessions on organizational issues. The fans, on the other hand, deliberately refrained from provocation and stuck to clear agreements
The anger over the closure of the south curve is still too deep-seated, and the fundamental discussions about collective punishment and co-determination are still too present. Nevertheless, the match in Eindhoven marked an important interim step
It was not a loud signal, not a publicly staged closing of ranks. But it was a quiet signal that both sides are ready to approach each other again. For FC Bayern and its fans, this could be the decisive approach to stabilising the recently strained relationship in the long term. However, pyrotechnics were again used by the active fan scene at Bayern’s Bundesliga match in Hamburg on Saturday evening. Another incident that is unlikely to please the Munich officials.