The last few away games in the Champions League have caused problems for FC Bayern fans, and the next clash in Eindhoven is likely to be another one.
At FC Bayern’s away match at PSV Eindhoven on 28 January, the next controversy over fan attendance is looming. According to SPORT1, the Dutch authorities are currently planning that all Bayern supporters traveling with the team will only be allowed to collect their tickets on the day of the match and only on presentation of their passports.
Prior distribution of tickets – as is customary internationally – is to be completely prohibited. For many fans, this means additional travel stress, long waiting times and the risk of possibly not being at the stadium on time in the event of organizational delays.
FC Bayern is very concerned about this approach. Sporting Director Christoph Freund explained at the press conference before the match against St. Pauli: „Even now in London, there were some scenes before the match that you don’t really want to see.“ The 47-year-old made it clear that the club takes the increasing problems with European Cup away trips very seriously. According to Freund, there is already a close exchange between fan advisors, authorities and fan groups: „This exchange is very, very important.“
The club and fans already fear that Eindhoven could develop into another flashpoint – precisely because similar regulations have repeatedly led to conflicts recently. FC Bayern has the feeling that a dangerous trend is emerging across Europe: strict official requirements, short-term instructions and measures that appear inappropriate from the club’s point of view. It cannot be ruled out that the record champions will make further legal enquiries or protest officially before the Eindhoven game.
FC Bayern criticized „arbitrariness of the Paris police“
A look back shows why the nervousness is so great. The incidents in Paris and London are still in the bones of those responsible at Bayern. Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen reported last weekend on the current exchange with the French authorities. „We will continue to take legal action against the procedure accordingly,“ said the 58-year-old. Although he did not reveal exactly what content was communicated, he made it clear: „They have certainly threatened us that next time no fans will be allowed to come at all. That’s why we won’t let this sit on us.“
In Paris, just one day before the Champions League match in November, the Prefecture of Police ordered all 15 Bayern fan buses to assemble at a freeway tollbooth outside the city. Only then were they allowed to drive – under strict escort – to the Parc des Princes. At the time, Dreesen spoke of „arbitrariness on the part of the Paris police“. All attempts to take legal action against this were unsuccessful.
The most recent away match in London also caused frustration. During the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, there were clashes between stewards and Bayern fans before kick-off because a previously approved fence flag was suddenly no longer allowed to be hung. The situation escalated further after the match: as they were leaving the stadium, some supporters were surrounded and attacked by the police. Eyewitnesses reported that several fans were injured and had to be taken to hospital.
Overall, there is an alarming trend that FC Bayern no longer wants to accept. Freund emphasized: „Football lives from the fans, lives from the atmosphere, from the emotions. That is why it is important to find a good exchange so that this fan experience is not under a bad star.“