A First: Bayern Fans Protest New Away Jersey | OneFootball

FC Bayern’s new away jersey made its debut—and immediately sparked discontent among the team’s own fans. There were protests during the friendly match in Wiesbaden.

FC Bayern’s new away jersey has only been officially available for a few days. The jersey made its debut on the field during the 1-2 friendly loss to Wehen Wiesbaden. But even before kickoff, it was clear: Not all Bayern fans are on board with the new look.

Even during warm-ups, chants of “We want red-and-white jerseys” could be clearly heard from the visitors’ section. A familiar protest banner bearing the same slogan was also hung on the fence in front of the FCB supporters.

A new jersey controversy at Bayern?

In recent years, there have been repeated protests against the Munich club’s jersey designs. Bayern had actually fulfilled the wishes of many fans with their new home jersey, opting for a simple red-and-white design.

The new away jersey, however, in blue and white, seems to be going over much worse with many fans—likely also because blue and white are the colors of Munich’s local rival, TSV 1860. Accordingly, the first protest at the jersey’s debut was not long in coming.

The record champions had officially unveiled the jersey just a few days earlier. According to the club, the design features a predominantly white jersey with a polo collar and red and navy blue details. Visually, the jersey is intended to evoke the 1990s and early 2000s while incorporating modern elements.

Photo: IMAGO

However, it’s nothing new that FC Bayern’s jerseys regularly spark debate. In recent years, several designs have drawn criticism from parts of the fan base. At the same time, club officials repeatedly emphasize that striking a balance between tradition and modern designs is necessary.

CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen recently explained that, on the one hand, the club’s colors must be respected, but on the other hand, new ideas must be introduced every year. After all, the jerseys are an important part of merchandising.