The German football federation is tackling racism and discrimination among fans and amateur players with a new campaign in the run-up to this summer’s European Championship.
The federation presented its two-pronged strategy on Monday with a video message under the slogan “Football time is the best time against racism”. Supporters will be encouraged to participate on social media and the launch of a new pilot project taking anti-racist measures with amateur clubs in the Football Association of North East Germany. The pilot project will continue until 2025 before being extended to other areas.
“Everyone can do something against racism, not just players, but we want to reach out to spectators and parents when it comes to youth teams to raise awareness about it,” said the president of the federation Bernd Neuendorf during a visit to the children of the amateur club. SFC Stern 1900 club in Berlin.
“This is why it is so important that we take a broader view and not limit ourselves to what happens in professional fields on weekends,” Neuendorf said. “We also need to clearly address the fact that this is a general problem in society, but also in football. And that includes amateur football. The federation has had to deal with hateful abuse directed online at the German team which won the Under-17 World Cup last year. She announced in December that she was working with the Frankfurt prosecutor’s office to identify the perpetrators.
Gerard Asamoah, who made 46 appearances for Germany, was the target of racist abuse from Hansa Rostock fans shortly after being celebrated as a hero at the 2006 World Cup.
“It was disappointing to be so marginalized a few months later,” said Asamoah, who sees Euro 2024 as “a huge chance to make amends, and I really believe we can do it.” Asamoah said it takes civic courage for people to speak out about racism, and said he is more convinced today than in 2006 that people have the courage to speak out and deal.
He was also encouraged by the level of political action against racism and that it is an important issue for the federation.
“When I compare it to my time, where I was marginalized in the youth teams, no one was interested. I had to take care of it myself. When I was 18, I played in Cottbus and people threw bananas at me. But the match was so important to us that my problem didn’t interest anyone,” Asamoah said. “That’s why I think it’s great that we’ve made a start, that the federation is taking things in hand. There are so many things (racism) that happen in amateur football, also at youth level. » Reem Alabali-Radovan, German Federal Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration, explained that local football clubs are often the first points of contact for migrants who have just arrived in Germany. She said they are often victims of racist abuse that does not receive the same national attention because the incidents are very localized.
“Far too many people are affected by racism every day in Germany,” said Alabali-Radovan. “They face racism in all kinds of situations, not just in everyday life, but also in the housing market, when looking for a job, at school and also in sports.” Asamoah, who graciously signed autographs and posed for photos with Stern’s young players despite the bitter cold, concluded the launch by wishing that such campaigns were not necessary, “that there is no racism , we are all the same.”
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