The German Football Federation has launched a new campaign ahead of this summer's European Championship, targeting racism and discrimination among fans and amateur players.
The federation announced its two-pronged strategy on Monday in a video message with the motto: “Football time is the best time to fight racism.”
Fans will be encouraged to take to social media and a new pilot project will be launched to introduce anti-racism measures for amateur clubs in the North East German Football Association. The pilot project will run until 2025 and will then be expanded to other regions.
“Everyone, not just players, can do something about racism, but we also want to raise awareness of this issue among spectators and parents of youth teams.'' During the visit, Federation President Bernd Neuendorf said: Berlin club SFC Stern 1900.
“That's why it's so important to have a broader perspective than just paying attention to what's happening in the professional field on the weekend,” Neuendorf said. “We must also clearly address the fact that this is a problem not only for society but for the entire football world. And that includes amateur football.”
The federation has had to deal with hateful slurs directed at the German team that won last year's U-17 World Cup online. In December, the company announced that it was cooperating with Frankfurt prosecutors to identify the culprit.
Gerard Asamoah, who played 46 times for Germany, was the target of racist abuse from Hansa Rostock supporters shortly after being hailed as a hero at the 2006 World Cup.
“It was disappointing to be left out like that after only a few months,” Asamoah said, adding that Euro 2024 was “a huge opportunity to make amends and I truly believe we can do that.”
Asamoah said it takes civic courage for people to speak out about racism, and he is more confident now than he was in 2006 that people have the courage to speak out and stand up. He said there is.
He also took encouragement from the level of political action against racism and the fact that it was an important issue for the Federation.
“Compared to when I was marginalized in the youth team, no one was interested in me. I had to deal with it myself. When I was 18 and playing for Cottbus, I had bananas thrown at me. But this match was very important for us, so no one was interested in my problem,” Asamoah said. “That's why I think it's so great that we're starting and the federations are trying to take matters into their own hands. There's so much (racism) going on in amateur football and at youth level. ing.”
Riem Aravalli-Radovan, Germany's Federal Government Commissioner for Immigration, Refugees and Integration, explained that local football clubs are often the first point of contact for migrants who have just arrived in Germany. She said they are often subjected to racist abuse because the incidents are so localized, but do not receive the same attention at a national level.
“Too many people in Germany are affected by racism every day,” said Aravalli Radovan. “They experience racism in every situation: not just everyday racism, but in the housing market, when looking for work, at school, and even in sports.”
Despite the bitter cold, Asamoah willingly agreed to sign autographs and take pictures with Stern's young players, saying, “There is no racism, we are all the same,'' and expressed his hope that such a campaign would be unnecessary. and concluded the launch.
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