DFB – Football United Against Racism

DFB – Football United Against Racism

The German Football Association (DFB) is the association of the 21 national associations, 5 regional associations and the league association in which football is practiced within the country. The most important task of the DFB is the organisation of football in championship games and competitions. The DFB represents the interests of its member associations at home and abroad. The German Football Association (DFB) has more than 7.1 million members, making it one of the biggest social networks in Germany. The DFB is affiliated with 24,544 clubs (2019).

The DFB fulfils its socio-political and sports policy responsibilities at international level through various activities. The international work of the DFB is divided into two areas: on the one hand, the International Relations and Strategic Projects Unit strives to create knowledge and added value for German football and its partners through cooperation with other football associations worldwide and through strategic partnerships. On the other hand, the DFB has been carrying out international, football-related CSR projects for more than half a century. Amongst others the DFB supports the German government in its sport-related activities in developing countries and emerging markets.

DFB – Football United Against Racism (Fußball Verein(t) Gegen Rassismus):

As part of the “Football United Against Racism” project funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), the DFB is intensifying its activities in the area of social sustainability together with its regional associations and 3rd division clubs.

At four selected locations, the pilot regional associations are expanding the anti-discrimination networks at regional and local level together with a third-division club based in their association’s territory, supported by the DFB’s Social Responsibility and Fan Affairs department. Together with this strong network, they bundle and promote prevention and education efforts in and through football. They further establish complaints management via the regional association contact points for incidents of violence and discrimination in their associations and increase awareness of the contact points in amateur football.

The four pilot locations are:

• Football Association Mittelrhein and Viktoria Köln
• Saarland Football Association and 1. FC Saarbrücken
• Niedersachsen Football Association and Eintracht Braunschweig
• Sachsen Football Association and FSV Zwickau

Another focus of the project is to develop and implement general standards for a non-violent and non-discriminatory football experience in stadiums and at sports grounds. These include, for example, a rapid response mechanism in the stadium, reporting channels for racism and discrimination incidents and aftercare services for those affected. In the amateur sector, the contact points for incidents of violence and discrimination are to be made better known and the contact persons further qualified so that all reported incidents are processed to a high standard and those affected receive the necessary support.

The establishment of a competent network against racism and discrimination ensures a constant exchange of experience and knowledge between stakeholders from sport and civil society and can bring about positive changes in civil society. The knowledge gained from the project can be extended to other locations and events.