Herbert Hainer, President of FC Bayern Munich, apologizes for his contribution to the club's chaotic annual general meeting last year. A turbulent event had led to riots, and Hainer had broken off the meeting too early in the opinion of many.
At the start of the annual general meeting of FC Bayern Munich, Herbert Hainer campaigned for his re-election as president among the members of the record German soccer champions. The 68-year-old declared himself a "servant of the club" and at the beginning of his half-hour speech in the Audi Dome on Saturday evening he apologized for the "mistakes" he had made during last year's meeting, which he made in the dispute over Qatar -Had canceled the sponsorship annoyed.
"We all know that this evening was not a day of glory for our club," said Hainer, who applied for a second term three years after being elected to succeed honorary president Uli Hoeneß. In the previous year, even the club saint Hoeneß did not come to his speech and left the stage unnerved under loud protests from many members present.
"Our club is a role model throughout Europe," said the former Adidas boss, who, in addition to the sporting and economic successes, emphasized the social role of the largest German sports club with 295,000 members. "FC Bayern is an influencer," said Hainer. The financially strongest Bundesliga club will "never become a footballing group," promised the president, who called out to the fans and members: "My heart is beating red!"
Coach Julian Nagelsmann and professionals Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman were also present in the hall before the home game this Sunday evening against SC Freiburg. They then headed home to applause from the members.
