The German Football Association is doing all it can to support the 26,000 football clubs in Germany with the integration of refugees. A brochure with information on eligibility to play and insurance protection has been widely distributed, while more than 600 clubs have received financial aid. Real work is being done – just like in Leipzig, where the Germany national side play their crucial European qualifying game against Georgia on Sunday. On Saturday afternoon, DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach, along with Germany internationals Shkodran Mustafi and Kevin Volland, visited a different game of football, between the refugee side United FC and a youth side from SV Lindenau.
"It was a very relaxed and easygoing atmosphere. For me it was a real experience to see children from all over the world meet each other and see how well they got on during the game. I saw a lot of happiness on the faces of the children today. Football can also be of huge help to the refugee situation," said Wolfgang Niersbach, who chatted to players from both teams before the game in the dressing room at Lindenau.
SV Lindenau was awarded with the DFB and Mercedes Benz Integration Prize in March 2015 for its excellent engagement with refugees. The club from western Leipzig made the first step by encouraging refugees from nearby accommodations to join up to SV Lindenau and play football.
Mustafi: "It’s good that the DFB are doing something"
"Nobody flees their home for fun. It’s good that the DFB are doing something here to make so many people’s arrival in Germany that little bit easier," said Shkodran Mustafi, the eight-capped Germany international whose parents come from Albania and whose career path has seen him play in Germany, England and Italy. The 23-year-old currently plays his football for Spanish side Valencia CF. Kevin Volland, who has four caps for Die Mannschaft, plays up front for Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
The president of the Saxony Football Association also visited SV Lindenau on Saturday. "The club deserves the highest of praise. The people here are doing exactly the right thing – and they started long before the topic became so public," said Klaus Reichenbach.
"1-0 for a good welcome!" is the name of the DFB’s campaign with Aydan Özoğuz, the state minister for Immigration, Refugees and Integration. The campaign, which was started in March, supports those amateur clubs who offer refugees the chance to play football. €700,000 is available over a two-year period – it is hoped the money will help over 800 clubs this year, and another 600 in 2016. The DFB has already signed a contract extension with the campaign until 2019.