Herbert Hainer: 'Diversity is an enrichment, not a threat' | OneFootball

A total of six trophies from the 2025/26 season sparked in the imposing domed hall of the Bavarian State Chancellery, next to the lectern on which the coat of arms proudly displays. “We’re always pleased to be invited here,” opened Herbert Hainer in his address at the reception hosted by Minister-President Markus Söder in honour of yet another hugely successful season for the FC Bayern men’s and women’s teams. The Free State values traditions – just as the two-time German double and Supercup winners do, continued the FCB president. “When we’re here with you, it means we’ve done pretty well again.”

‘FC Bayern has written another piece of history’

Year after year, the teams are entered into the Golden Book here – men and women – as Hainer explained, in the presence of honorary president Uli Hoeneß, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, board member for sport Max Eberl, board member Rouven Kasper, sporting director Christoph Freund, women’s football director Bianca Rech as well as vice-presidents Professor Dr. Dieter Mayer and Walter Mennekes. “These signatures fill many pages, and every one of these autographs is a sign that FC Bayern has written another piece of history.” The president concluded with a grin: “Dear Mr Minister-President, you’ve become one of FC Bayern’s most dedicated autograph collectors over the years. Please keep going – and also keep a few pages free for us for next year! Let’s keep writing this Bavarian success story together!”

Söder described how FC Bayern has become “FC Feelgood”. After the “accident” of Leverkusen winning the league, the club is back on track – and more than that, the “Mia san mia” spirit has been “revived” under new head coach Vincent Kompany. “FC Bayern is about constantly reinventing itself.” Before captains Manuel Neuer and Glódís Viggósdóttir presented jerseys and the two teams lined up together for photos, he summarised: “A year without this honour for FC Bayern is a year lost for me.”

He could not speak here today at the State Chancellery without looking beyond the pitch, said Hainer in his speech, during which he received repeated applause: “In some parts of Germany, you get the impression that it has almost become a national pastime to stir up hostility against democratic institutions, political responsibility and our shared social values. I say this emphatically: we at FC Bayern will not play along with that!” Sport cannot and must not replace political responsibility, the president added – “but it can demonstrate how cohesion works: people from different backgrounds, religions, languages and life stories working towards common goals. They show that team spirit does not depend on where you were born, what you believe in or who you love.” 

Hainer said it was also important for him to emphasise explicitly “how pleased we at FC Bayern are with our collaboration with Bavarian politicians”. For example, they will travel together as part of the Munich delegation to Baden-Baden on 26 September “to support our home city’s bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games at the German Olympic Sports Confederation – because this is not just about a few weeks of sport in Munich. The Olympic and Paralympic Games inspire people to get active, bring people together, promote inclusion and respect, and energise an entire society. Together, we want to show that Munich is not just a cosmopolitan city with a heart, but a global sporting city with a heart.”  

Looking ahead and tackling the future together

Particularly in these times, unifying forces are required. “We must look ahead together – and tackle the future together. I don’t believe in just protesting all the time – we need to support one another,” Hainer made clear. With regard to sport, the Bavarian State Government has “taken strong, forward-looking decisions: we expressly welcome the reintroduction of a third sports lesson from Year 1 onwards. We at FC Bayern are also active in over 100 schools with our ‘ZAM AKTIV’ programme to promote physical activity. Strengthening school sport and sports clubs means investing in health, teamwork – and in the future of our society.”  

The women’s team recently visited the Dachau Memorial Site, Hainer mentioned at the end of his address. “A visit like this reminds us where exclusion, dehumanisation and the silence of the majority can lead. I look at the faces of our two teams here. I see players with different roots, backgrounds and life journeys. I see the irresistible force of diversity. This diversity is an enrichment, not a threat.” FC Bayern therefore says quite clearly: “When people are excluded, silence is not an option. When discrimination becomes socially acceptable, you have to oppose it. When antisemitism, racism or hatred towards people is downplayed as opinion, we must take a stand. Germany is diverse – that’s precisely where its strength lies.”

‘Let’s not stop writing history together’

Hainer ended his speech by thanking the players: “You all make the people in Bavaria incredibly proud: let’s not stop writing history together. History that fills pages of books. History that has an impact beyond the field of play. Role models like you are more important than ever today. Thank you for being exceptional ambassadors for diversity, for community – and for Bavaria!” The teams, led by coaches Kompany and José Barcala, gave a lengthy round of applause once more.

Several FC Bayern men’s and women’s players have been shortlisted in the Ballon d‘Or awards:

Numerous Ballon d’Or nominations - Dreesen: 'A remarkable first'