DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach has praised the work and support of helpers at a refugee centre in Egelsbach, near Frankfurt, as well as the positive impact of football in the integration process. "It’s exactly as we had imagined. It sends a great message out to Berlin – this needs to be implemented," said the 64-year-old, who was invited to drink a coffee with a Kurdish family from the north of Syria.
This was followed by a match between a DFB XI and “Refugees United”, who were founded in December 2014. The match finished 4-2 to the DFB team. 45 people have been taken in at the centre, just south of Frankfurt, which is supported by a Christian refugee aid group.
Niersbach promises more money
Niersbach has promised to allocate more money to the organisation’s refugee aid fund: “It's never enough money. I can say that we will do more.” Until now, the DFB’s refugee initiative “1-0 for a welcome”, which is also supported by the German government and UEFA, has received €700,000 to be put towards supporting the 1,400 amateur clubs who have been offering places to refugees.
The DFB visited SG Egelsbach to say thank you to them and the many football clubs who have integrated refugees into their clubs, and to call on more clubs to get involved in the project.
600 clubs already involved
"We have always been very staunchly committed to issue of integration. It is an ongoing topic in both the country, and the game of football,” said Niersbach. "It is our absolute duty to send a clear message from the top right down to the grassroots of the game. Refugees are welcome. We want to make everyone feel at home."
A few days ago, the available funds for the initiative were increased by €700,000 thanks to grants from UEFA and the German government. 800 clubs will receive funding in 2015, before a further 600 in 2016, with the money going towards initial membership fees, travel costs and language courses, as well as either a football kit or pair of boots. TSV Wittislingen (Bavaria), who are currently doing their bit to help Syrian war refugees, are the 600th club to receive funding from the initiative.
