Taking a Stand Against Right-wing Extremism: FC Bundestag Considers Banning AfD MPs from its Football Team
Blog Post
Barriers Construction: A Detailed Account of the Edifices Being Erected - Parliament seeks to prohibit AfD parliamentarians
Tired of kicking it with the far-right? That's the sentiment growing among members of the FC Bundestag, the Parliament's football team, who are fed up with sharing the pitch with AfD MPs. A heated discussion is expected at the club's annual general meeting on Wednesday, as a change to the club's constitution could see AfD members banned from playing with the team.
According to the draft constitutional amendment, obtained exclusively by stern, all members must commit to the "free and democratic basic order" as the foundation of the club's activities. The club unequivocally opposes "racist, anti-constitutional, and xenophobic endeavors." If approved, the board would be authorized to reject membership applications from individuals affiliated with organizations pursuing anti-constitutional goals, or members who harm the club by expressing extremist or anti-constitutional views.
Whether it's on the move or in the House, the AfD's representatives have been feeling the heat for some time now. They believe they're being treated unfairly, as evident by their lack of committee chair assignments and smaller quarters for their growing faction in the Bundestag. But this latest move could raise the stakes even higher.
Excluding AfD MPs from the team is a risky legal proposition, given that the party is currently challenging its designation as a confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor in court. Just recently, the FC Bundestag suffered a legal setback in this matter: last year, the club's decision to make membership incompatible with AfD membership was overturned by the Berlin Regional Court. Green MP Kassem Taher Saleh, who plays in midfield for the FC Bundestag, welcomed the proposed step, stating that 'We're taking a stand: on the pitch and in parliament, against those who promote Nazi ideologies and target queer people and migrants.'
- TAGS: Football, Politics, Extremism
- KEYWORDS: AfD, FC Bundestag, Politics, Extremism, Pitch
Enrichment Data Analysis:
This proposed change to the FC Bundestag's constitution is part of a larger political and social effort to combat right-wing extremism in Germany. In May 2025, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) classified the AfD as a "confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor," citing racist and anti-Muslim tendencies. This designation allows for increased monitoring and potential restrictions on the party, such as public funding limits and potential employment bans for AfD members in certain sectors[1].
By excluding AfD MPs from the FC Bundestag, the club is taking a symbolic stand against right-wing extremism, potentially diminishing its normalization and representation within organized sports communities. Historically, football clubs in Germany have reflected broader societal tensions, including instances of extremism infiltration[2]. As social institutions, football clubs can function as arenas for political and ideological expression. The Bundestag’s actions contribute to a broader societal effort to counteract and marginalize right-wing extremism's social acceptance, including within sports contexts.
While the proposed constitutional change is primarily focused on limiting political representation of right-wing extremism, its indirect effect on reducing extremist ideological influence within football communities could empower ant-extremist initiatives within football communities. By reinforcing societal rejection of far-right ideologies, the measure could make a significant impact on the ideological landscape of sports clubs in Germany, as football remains a significant aspect of German social life[2].
In summary, the FC Bundestag's proposed constitutional change is a step towards limiting the political representation of right-wing extremism in Germany. This move, while symbolic, could have a ripple effect on reducing extremist ideological influence within sports communities and empower ant-extremism initiatives within football clubs. Historically, football clubs have reflected broader societal tensions, making them significant arenas for the manifestation of political and ideological identities. As a result, this change could contribute to countering right-wing extremism in football club environments.
[1] Bundesverfassungsschutz, Press Release, "Bundesverfassungsschutz: Alternative für Deutschland wird als rechtsextremistisch eingestuft," May 19, 2025[2] Hamon, Samuel, "Football in Germany: From Social Unification to Role Model," Institute for Human Sciences, August 24, 2020
The proposed modification of the FC Bundestag's constitution aligns with a broader political and social movement combating right-wing extremism in Germany. In addition to potential restrictions on the AfD, such as funding limits, this action could symbolically diminish the normalization of right-wing extremism within organized sports communities.
The Bundestag's efforts to marginalize right-wing extremism contribute to a broader societal push against the acceptance of such ideologies, including within sports contexts. This significant shift within the football club environment could empower anti-extremist initiatives across German sports clubs.
