Football Club Drops 20-Year-Old Anthem Over Nazi Ties

FC St. Pauli has decided to suspend its long-standing anthem, Heart of St. Pauli, after uncovering its songwriter’s ties to Nazi propaganda.

The revelation came through a podcast produced by the FC St.

Pauli Museum, which detailed that Josef Ollig, the composer of the tune, had served as both a fighter pilot and a war correspondent for Nazi propaganda efforts during World War II.

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The song, traditionally performed by the rock band Phantastix & Elf before kick-off, has been a staple at the club and remains popular among fans. However, the new findings have prompted the club to take action.

On February 14, club president Oke Göttlich addressed the issue, acknowledging the deep emotional connection many supporters have with the anthem but emphasizing the importance of unity.

He explained that while individuals may still appreciate the song personally, its function as a stadium anthem is to bring people together.

FC St. Pauli’s logo. (Picture: Jam Press)

Given the recent controversy, he stated that many members and fans no longer feel comfortable with its continued use.

FC St. Pauli has a long history of standing firmly against right-wing extremism.

In 1998, the club notably changed its stadium’s name from Wilhelm-Koch-Stadion to Millerntor-Stadion after it emerged that former club president Wilhelm Koch had been a member of Hitler’s Nazi Party.

This latest decision underscores the club’s ongoing commitment to its progressive and anti-fascist values.

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SOURCE: Football club BANS 20-year-old anthem after discovering song’s link to Nazis | Need To Know