Vincent Kompany is set to receive a special honor. The FC Bayern coach will be recognized for his commitment to combating racism at the 2026 Bavarian Sports Award gala. The award ceremony will take place after the Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg. At the pre-match press conference, the Belgian coach commented on the award and made it clear that it is not the reason for his commitment.
“It’s a sports award. I don’t want to receive an award for giving a speech against racism,” Kompany explained at the press conference ahead of the match against FC Augsburg. He said that when he makes such statements, it’s not about personal recognition, but about taking a stand at crucial moments. “I don’t do this for awards, but because at certain moments, the right thing needs to be said.”
The Bayern coach made it clear, however, that he does appreciate the honor. “The award is very nice, of course,” said the 39-year-old about the honor, which will be presented to him on Saturday by Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder. For him, however, the focus is not on the award itself, but on the message associated with his commitment.
The Bayern coach has repeatedly spoken out against racism and discrimination. The honor centers primarily on a press conference held in February of this year. At that time, Kompany spoke for about twelve minutes about racism, hatred, and exclusion. His strong words drew significant attention not only in Germany but also internationally.
Kompany is committed to fighting racism
The occasion was sparked by comments made by then-Benfica coach José Mourinho about Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian national team player had repeatedly been the target of racist abuse throughout his career—including in February during the match between Benfica Lisbon and Real Madrid.
Kompany subsequently expressed his unconditional support for Vinicius Junior: “I saw it live. When you see the incident, Vinicius Junior’s reaction can’t be faked. His reaction is emotional.”
With his remarks at the press conference, Kompany now emphasizes that he does not make this commitment contingent on potential awards. Rather, he says, it’s about taking a stand when he believes it’s necessary.
As coach of Germany’s record-holding champion, Kompany is regularly in the public spotlight. His words therefore carry weight even beyond the world of soccer. The upcoming honor recognizes his commitment, but the Belgian does not see it as a driving force behind his stance.