Bayern stars campaign against hate speech

BERLIN – Bayern Munich stars Thomas Müller, Leroy Sané and Leon Goretzka are part of a new campaign against hate speech – by reading out some of the abusive posts in a video.

“Better shut your unqualified mouth”, “It used to be Mia San Mia [Bayern’s slogan We are who we are], now it’s just foreigners”, “I spit on you, you freaks”, and “May your team bus burn, you losers” are just some of the abusive comments exposed by the players.

Others posts which also contained racism were drowned out with a beep.

The video is part of a campaign “together against internet hatred” Bayern have launched together with their main sponsors German Telekom in order to raise awareness and support victims.

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“During my professional time in the Bundesliga I have experienced what verbal lapses and aggression can do. These online hate comments often remain hidden from the public. We need more transparency here,” Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said.

Telekom brand manager Uli Klemke said that hate speech, shitstorms and bullying was “poisoning togetherness in real life and online” as he expressed home that “Everyone should be able to move online without fear.”

The video is to be shown on various social media platforms and also on TV around sports broadcasts as part of efforts to combat hate speech.