Power play at FC Bayern: What’s behind the pyro scandal? | OneFootball

The pyro actions of Bayern fans continue to provoke debate – both internally and externally. Following the most recent flare-up in the Champions League, a former Bayern professional is now also speaking out and finding clear words

The South Curve of FC Bayern has always seen itself as the mouthpiece of the fans. Whether with banners, choreographies or clear messages to club bosses and associations – the Ultras regularly seek publicity. Recently, however, the protest once again got out of hand. At the Champions League match, a large-scale pyrotechnic display not only caused thick smoke in the Allianz Arena, but also led to harsh consequences from UEFA

Markus Babbel has little sympathy for this form of protest. In an interview with Absolut Fussball, the former Bayern defender expressed his irritation. „These pyro actions – I don’t understand them,“ the 53-year-old explained openly

Babbel is not speaking from an official’s point of view, but from a player’s. „As a player, it didn’t do much for me. Sure, it might look a bit better in the evening, but if you can’t see anything through the clouds of smoke, it doesn’t do anyone any good,“ continued Babbel, adding that there was also the acrid smell and, above all, the dangers posed by pyrotechnics

A trial of strength between Ultras and club management

photo: IMAGO

What is interesting, however, is that Babbel suspects there is more behind the actions than mere fan protest. For him, it is a power play. „The fans want to demonstrate their importance to a certain extent. That’s all it is,“ says the former international. Babbel sees a clear dynamic, especially in relation to personalities such as Uli Hoeneß, who is repeatedly critical of the Ultras. In his opinion, the fans want to show: „Wait a minute, we are not completely unimportant in this club either.“

Babbel describes the situation as a „trial of strength“ in which both sides poke at each other – symbolically with their chests. In the end, however, it is not the Ultras or the club management who suffer, but the club itself. „I always feel sorry for the clubs because they have to pay so much money for it,“ emphasizes Babbel with a view to the heavy fines and the threat of fan exclusions

It is precisely these consequences that have now occurred, with part of the South Curve remaining banned for the next Champions League home game against Union Saint-Gilloise. A controversial rumour is circulating among fans that the Ultras have deliberately violated UEFA’s probation conditions in order to serve any sanctions in the league phase and have a clear path for action in the knockout rounds

Whether this theory is true or not, the debate shows how deep the rift between parts of the active fan scene and the club has become. Babbel indirectly puts it in a nutshell: protest is allowed, as is identification, but if support turns into a power struggle, it will ultimately harm FC Bayern itself.