March 19 – The German football federation is targeting racism and discrimination with a new campaign ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
The federation presented its strategy on Monday with a video message while federation president Bernd Neuendorf (pictured) said during a visit to amateur club SFC Stern 1900 in Berlin: “Everyone can do something against racism, not only the players, but we want to reach spectators, and parents when it comes to youth teams, to raise awareness of this topic.”
“That’s why it’s so important that we take a broader view and not only notice what’s happening on the professional fields at the weekend,” Neuendorf said.
“We also have to clearly address the fact that it’s a general problem in society, but also in football. And that includes amateur football.”
Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany’s federal commissioner for migration, refugees and integration, outlined how local clubs are often the first points of contact for migrants who have just arrived in Germany.
She said they are often subjected to racist abuse that doesn’t get the same attention on a national level because the incidents are so localized.
“Far too many people are affected by racism every day in Germany,” Alabali-Radovan said. “They experience racism in all sorts of situations, not just everyday racism, but also in the housing market, when looking for a job, in schools, and also in sports.”
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