FC St. Pauli discusses future of stadium anthem amid controversy

The Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli is set to announce its plans regarding the stadium anthem „Das Herz von St. Pauli“ on Friday. This decision comes in light of recent discussions surrounding the past of the song’s lyricist, Josef Ollig, who had ties to the Nazi regime during World War II. Reports indicate that Ollig served as a fighter pilot and war correspondent for Nazi propaganda.

„Das Herz von St. Pauli“ was famously performed by Hans Albers in the film of the same name, released in 1957. Employees of the FC St. Pauli Museum, who had previously researched the biography of Hans Albers, have now turned their attention to Ollig and the composer Michael Jary.

According to a club statement, Ollig’s reports were published in various Nazi propaganda outlets, including the Hamburg Foreign Sheet. In 1944, he received commendation from his superiors in the Wehrmacht for his work and was awarded several military honors. By the end of the war, he had been promoted to lieutenant and was stationed at the Western Front, where he personally conducted the last Stuka attacks.

Critical discussion within the club

FC St. Pauli aims to engage in a critical examination of its history and to discuss the background surrounding the anthem „Das Herz von St. Pauli.“ The club reported that there is a predominantly nuanced discussion regarding how to approach the song, based on thorough research. They noted that many fans value the anthem, but also approach the situation with a sense of responsibility, as quoted in the Hamburger Abendblatt.

Before home matches, the song is played in a rock version by the band Phantastix & Elf. After the performance, fans continue the singing even after the music has stopped. The club’s handling of its history has previously led to significant changes; for instance, the Wilhelm-Koch-Stadion, named after a former club president who was a member of the NSDAP, was renamed to Millerntor-Stadion in 1998.