Bayern Munich to pay almost 250,000 euros to customs on allegations of evaded social benefits from 2016 to 2021
FC Bayern Munich has been ordered to pay a sum of 200,000 euros along with 45,500 euros in late payment penalties for unpaid social benefits that spanned several years. The investigative efforts of Sport inside had previously uncovered a common practice among many Bundesliga clubs, including Bayern, of employing junior coaches as part-time workers on a 450-euro basis, despite them working significantly more hours.
At Bayern’s youth academy, known as the NLZ Campus, multiple coaches came forward, revealing that they were required to work up to 30 hours per week instead of the designated ten hours. Furthermore, false entries were made on timesheets to mask the actual working hours. Following extensive interviews with coaches, investigators from the main customs office in Munich have now confirmed these practices to be true, spanning from November 2016 to November 2021.
During tournament trips and competitive matches, coaches were instructed to only record the “net playing time” while adjusting and falsifying training and preparation times on the timesheets. Those who raised concerns were met with dismissive responses, such as, “There are thousands out there who would do it for 200 euros.”
One former coach from Bayern expressed satisfaction with the club’s punishment, stating, “It’s only fair that the club was punished. Also, that this once again draws attention to what is going on in many NLZs.” However, the coach also expressed disappointment in the amount of the penalty, deeming it inadequate considering the exploitation endured by numerous individuals over an extended period, all while those in charge were fully aware of the situation.
Contrary to expectations, FC Bayern Munich appears to have received a relatively lenient punishment. Sport inside had previously reported in December 2021 that the Munich public prosecutor’s office had initiated “criminal proceedings on suspicion of withholding, embezzlement of wages” against the entire board of FC Bayern München AG. However, the proceedings have since been discontinued against all the accused due to insufficient evidence, according to a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office. As a result, the recent penalty imposed by customs authorities was related to an administrative offense.
The discontinuation of the proceedings drew criticism from Victor Perli, a member of the Bundestag for the Left Party. In his view, the offenses committed were not to be regarded as trivial, but rather as economic crimes. FC Bayern is a professional club with an annual turnover of up to 700 million euros, and it is disheartening that such a club, which pays its players and officials millions in salaries, fails to provide its hardworking staff with even the minimum wage. Perli described the situation as “shameful” and highlighted the discrepancy between the club’s financial resources and the treatment of those who are vital to the smooth operation of the entire business.
