FC Bayern Munich as a ‘victim’ of National Socialism? Construction and critique of a ‘heroic myth’

Abstract

ABSTRACT FC Bayern Munich has described its history during the Nazi era as that of a victim under the dictatorship that was systematically disadvantaged. Numerous institutions and the media have supported the football club until 2016 in presenting this self-portrayal as historical truth. Since then, doubts have been raised about this view of history due to the discovery of numerous, previously unknown sources. This article analyses the central elements of the ‘heroic history’ which FC Bayern is said to have written in the Third Reich. In particular, the core statements of the club museum in the Allianz Arena (Munich) are critically examined. As a result of this examination, it becomes clear that the self-image that the football club has of its role in the Nazi era is, demonstrably, a historical myth. In FC Bayern’s marketing, this myth aims to enhance its reputation in the national and international media and to claim moral superiority in competition with other football clubs.