The circumstances around the award of the World Cup to Qatar in 2010 were scandalous. The award criteria have to be significantly more transparent in the future. Qatar came out on top in the fourth round of voting in 2010 although it was the least suitable of all applications for hosting a World Cup according to FIFA's own audit reports. Out of eight new World Cup stadiums, seven were new-build projects. Football culture does not exist in Qatar. From our perspective, that is a knockout criterion for a potential World Cup host. And for that reason we believe the World Cup should never have been awarded to Qatar.
Extreme political attitudes of a host country, homophobia, the denial of freedom of expression and women's rights plus unacceptable working conditions in the country staging a World Cup are completely contrary to the basic values we stand for at this club. In this respect, Bayer 04 supports the DFB in their endeavours and in their emphatic commitment to achieve transparency and to our free and democratic value system.
Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, is a member of the board of the European Club Association (ECA). He will visit Qatar in December for a board meeting and a range of other discussions. The Spaniard takes the following position: "Questions ignored in the award of this tournament twelve years ago on the human rights situation, on equality and the freedom of expression in the host country will justifiably accompany this World Cup. We now need to work towards making the award criteria for a World Cup significantly more transparent in the future. I will campaign for that in the name of Bayer 04."
As a club, we also look at this World Cup from the perspective of our players. They have worked for years for their sporting objectives and this World Cup could be the high point of the football careers of some of them. In our opinion, we believe it would be wrong not to report on this. Therefore, we will report on our international players at the World Cup and their sporting achievements and follow their appearances on the World Cup stage. We believe the players cannot be made responsible for the award of the competition to Qatar twelve years ago. Accordingly, they have our respect, our support and editorial backing.
On Matchday 9 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign, the Werkself welcome last season's runners-up VfB Stuttgart to the BayArena. The game kicks off at 20.30 CET on Friday, 1 November. The key information on ticket sales for this match.
Show more
On Matchday 11 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign, the Werkself welcome 1. FC Heidenheim to the BayArena. The game kicks off at 15.30 CET on Saturday, 23 November. The key information on ticket sales for this match.
Show more
Bayer 04 failed to convert a two-goal lead into victory at home to Holstein Kiel on Bundesliga Matchday 6. Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann had put the Werkself in command with early strikes, but the visitors got a goal back on the stroke of half-time and then earned a penalty in the second half to snatch a draw.
Show more
Holstein Kiel are the visitors to the BayArena for Matchday 6 in the Bundesliga this Saturday (kick-off: 3.30pm CEST). Here’s all you need to know about the Werkself’s home game, which marks the club’s 120th anniversary.
Show more