DFB president honoured for fighting discrimination
Monday, March 1, 2010
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German Football Association (DFB) president Theo Zwanziger has been presented with the 2009 Leo Baeck Award for his commitment to fighting xenophobia, discrimination and extremism.
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Theo Zwanziger, president of the German Football Association (DFB), has been presented with the 2009 Leo Baeck Award in Berlin by the Central Council of Jews in Germany. The DFB president received the prize for his "unwavering commitment" to fighting xenophobia, discrimination and right-wing extremism within football.
Addressing the gathering, Wolfgang Schauble, the German finance minister, described Zwanziger as an "exemplary role model who realises the importance and responsibilities that sport in general, and football in particular, have in society."
Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, also thanked him for his commitment. "Theo Zwanziger is being honoured for his tireless efforts for a more tolerant society, both in sport and beyond. The ability of sport to bring people together cannot be underestimated," she said.
Named after the late Rabbi Leo Baeck, the award recognises public figures for their outstanding support of the Jewish community. Previous recipients include former German presidents Richard von Weizsacker and Roman Herzog, chancellor Angela Merkel, Hubert Burda and Friede Springer.
