German clubs show solidarity to refugees
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
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UEFA, the German Football Association and the German government have pledged financial assistance to foster playing opportunities for refugees across the country.
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In the spring, in view of the growing number of refugees arriving in Germany and the desire of amateur football clubs to show their solidarity, the German Football Association (DFB) launched the initiative '1-0 für ein Willkommen' (1-0 for a welcome).
The DFB's Egidius Braun Foundation and the German national team contributed €300,000 each, a sum matched by the federal commissioner for migration, refugees and integration. UEFA added €50,000, prompting the German government to chip in the same amount.
This money will be used to give initial €500 grants to 800 clubs in 2015 and 600 clubs in 2016. The funds will be distributed to clubs that offer refugees the opportunity to play football, thereby providing valuable support to municipalities and public authorities.
"Playing football together helps you communicate even if you don't speak the same language," said the DFB president, Wolfgang Niersbach. "Especially for children from refugee families, being able to play football again is a great blessing. This initiative provides simple, effective support for the important work that is being done at grassroots level."
