Bayern management organized a big diversion

Bavarian President Uli Hoeness (left) and CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge threaten critical media with legal consequences. (Photo: Sven Hoppe / DPA)

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany is called the Basic Law. The first sentence of the first article is evergreen: "The dignity of man is inviolable." Even the chairman of the board of directors of Bayern Karl-Heinz Rummenigge knows him by heart because he quoted him at a press conference. For a moment, the reporters there wondered what Rummenigge's unusual connection meant, but it did not take long to see what the CEO was planning that day.

In the crisis

Bayern had planned two press conferences in a row. The first challenged coach, Niko Kovac, late in the morning. The occasion was the match of Wolfsburg, which in itself was interesting, because Bayern lives for weeks what can be described as crisis. Two games in a row have been lost, the old sovereignty is washed away. Three weeks before the big match against Borussia Dortmund, the connection was threatened.

For Kovac, the undisputed coach, the situation is so delicate, and Bayern's sensitivity to the assessment of their situation, showed the following events. The trio of leaders had come – which is generally the case with coaching performance. In addition to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, President Uli Hoeness, an experienced media activist, spoke with journalists. Sports leader Hasan Salihamidzic was seated to the right of the two big boys. He was also allowed to say something in between, but unlike Rummenigge and Hoeness, he barely entered. Because there was a huge force, which was there for the listeners summed up.

First of all, it is necessary to divert from the discussion on the current problem. It works best by naming an opponent.

The Bavarians do not only know since yesterday how to cope with crises. First of all, it is necessary to divert from the discussion on the current problem. It works best by naming an opponent. In the case of Bavaria, it is the media as such, but especially the emissaries of Springer, the journalists of the newspaper "Bild", who want to "look more closely" in the future. In general, Rummenigge promised them a message from FC Bayern's lawyers: "We would like to inform you that we will not tolerate anything from now on." It reaffirms its intention to institute legal proceedings following a proper minutes at the end. , "Scandalous, irreverent and controversial" – this was the cover of this monument of German football culture. Even by experts who used to wear the Bayern jersey.

Law as limit

Uli Hoeness agreed: to criticize the transfer of back-half Juan Bernat to Paris Saint-Germain, he said that this had caused the last season against Sevilla almost the departure of Bayern. Such phrases, which designate a player as the only culprit, are astonishing if one has already protected oneself against the criticism of the pros, considered as exaggerated, and classifies them finally as "degrading". Hoeness finally agrees with Rummenigge in his media assessment: "We will not accept more irreverent reporting," Hoeness said.

Bavarian President Uli Hoenesse said: "We will no longer accept irreverent reports"

Giovanni Trapattoni was also entertaining in 1998. The recipient of the former Bayern coach was the team and not their critics. However, there is currently a problem. There is not only Article 1 of the Basic Law cited by Rummenigge, but also Article 5, which guarantees freedom of the press. Its limit is determined by the law and there is nowhere in respectful reporting.

In their fury, Rummenigge, Hoeness and Salihamidzic recall American students who claim "safe spaces" in their universities – in order to be spared from any form of criticism. Only, it is impossible to move in public without being confronted with their judgment at a given moment. In the meantime, however, the performance is first and foremost a reflection of how nerve-free nakedness is in Bayern.