South curve lockdown: Bayern ultras plan guerrilla action against Saint-Gilloise

The South Curve will remain closed for FC Bayern’s Champions League home game against Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday evening. The club’s decision in principle has not changed. Nevertheless, the measure threatens to have an impact on the sporting and atmospheric aspects of the game – because the active fan scene is apparently planning a targeted circumvention of the ban

Almost two weeks ago, the German record champions decided to close the entire south curve in the lower tier for the premier class home match against the Belgians. Specifically, this affects blocks 109 to 117, a total of 9,336 seats. All tickets have already been cancelled. This was triggered by the sanction imposed by UEFA following the pyro action at the match against Sporting Lisbon, which had actually only provided for a partial ban

FC Bayern deliberately went beyond the UEFA requirement due to the organizational problems of the free choice of seats and the lack of personalization of tickets in the south curve. A clean separation between involved and uninvolved fans was not possible. A loophole that was initially left open – the possible release of the outer blocks – has now also been closed, as no viable solution could be found with the active fan scene

However, as FCBinside has learned, the Bayern Ultras do not want to be completely thwarted by the lockdown. The plan is to gather in the upper tiers of the south curve. Particularly striking: Ultras are to provide fans who have regular tickets for these areas with alternative tickets via the mobile ticket exchange. The aim is to bundle as many active fans as possible in the designated blocks

The Ultras are also planning to use traditional means of creating an atmosphere, such as megaphones and drums, despite the lockdown. In combination with the roof over the upper tiers, they hope to be able to show an acoustic presence and provide an atmospheric accompaniment to the match – albeit under significantly different conditions

photo: IMAGO

According to FCBinside information , the Ultras expressly do not see their action as a protest against FC Bayern , but as a clear sign against the original UEFA sanction and the principle of collective punishment. The club itself had also recently emphasized this interpretation, but at the same time made it clear that security and control have priority

It remains to be seen whether and to what extent the planned guerrilla action on Wednesday evening will actually be noticeable, but one thing is already clear: even without the lower tier, the south curve will try to make its voice heard. The lockdown has thus been enforced in organizational terms – but is far from being accepted emotionally.