German Clubs show Racism the Red Card

26 March 2021

EFDN and the project “Show Racism the Red Card Europe” are supporting the International Weeks Against Racism organised by Stiftung gegen Rassismus (“Foundation against Racism”). Several German professional clubs have joined the campaign and highlighted their work against discrimination.

1. FC Nürnberg

1. FC Nürnberg is colourful, tolerant and diverse. On and off the pitch, discrimination, exclusion, right-wing extremism and sexism have no place at the club. They strongly oppose all forms of racism and are taking part in the “International Weeks against Racism” which are taking place from 15 to 28 March 2021 and also joined the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign. Together with other committed clubs in Europe, 1. FC Nürnberg wants to use the power and impact of football for educational work. The main focus is on the education of young people. The club organised digital lectures and digital guides tours and highlighted their work in the ‘Alliance against Right-Wing Extremism’ („Allianz gegen Rechtsextremismus“) and with the Israelian community.  

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bayer 04 takes a stand for diversity and solidarity: On the official #DayAgainstRacism, football called for a clear edge against discrimination and exclusion. The ‘Werkself’ professionals and Bayer 04 women were also presenting their non-negotiable opinion on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the Bayer website.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen also joined our #Morethanfootball Human Solidarity Chain. The aim of the online challenge is to show the diversity of social projects and the people involved.

Werder Bremen

Werder Bremen also positioned themselves against racism and discrimination. To kick off the International Anti-Racism Weeks, the SVW adopted the working definition of anti-Semitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). That way, the club sent another important signal for an open and diverse society.

Werder Bremen also changed their social media banners on Facebook and Twitter to “Geh’ mir wech mit Rassismus” (Leave me alone with your racism) to show that they’re actively standing up against any form of racism and discrimination.

“Klare Kante geten Rassismus” (clear edge against racism): SV Werder Bremen stands up for this statement. As part of the International Weeks against Racism the Green-Whites are setting a visible example. Both the men’s Bundesliga team and the women’s Bundesliga team of SVW were wearing appropriate warm-up shirts last week. In addition to the Bundesliga home match on Saturday, March 20, 2021, against VfL Wolfsburg, the shirt was already worn by the women’s Bundesliga team on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at the home match against SC Freiburg and on Saturday in the DFB Cup quarterfinals at VfL Wolfsburg. During the Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg, there was also a halftime interview with Jermeine Greene (fan department) who showed Racism the Red Card. Werder’s main sponsors showed their support by waiving the visibility of their corporate logos on the shirts for this campaign.

Every Werder fan can also send a clear signal against racism. In the WERDER Fan-Welt as well as in the online store of the Green-Whites, the “Klare Kante gegen Rassismus” flock will be included free of charge with the purchase of a warm-up shirt. In addition, fans can also secure the “Klare Kante gegen Rassismus” lettering as a sleeve patch free of charge when purchasing a jersey. Adult jerseys can only be purchased with the patch instead of the league logo or in combination with the league logo; either sleeve patch or league logo is possible on children’s jerseys.

These are just some of the examples of Werder Bremen taking a stand against racism and discrimination as the club implemented many more activities, announcements and signs against racism.

The interview in German starts at 1:10:33

1.FC Heidenheim

German 2. Bundesliga club is implementing their “Schools without Racism – Schools with Courage” programme in partnership with several primary schools. The first team and pupils Showed Racism the Red Card as an action during the International Weeks against Racism.

VfB Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart is committed to a diverse society. VfB has no place for racists. True to the motto “colourful and wild”, the club with the red breast ring on shirts is committed at all levels to coexistence characterised by tolerance and respect. Especially regarding  children and young people, VfBfairplay does important prevention work in dealing with racism and offers projects such as the VfB Learning Centre or Football Meets Culture.

Although football and sport in general are showing greater commitment, only the team can ever win – just like on the pitch. That is why this year VfB joined the “Show Racism the Red Card” campaign of the European Football for Development Network (EFDN), which runs a campaign against racism in football. It is also a great personal concern of the VfB licence players to stand up for human rights and solidarity with a strong message. That is why ALL at VfB say NO to racism and call on our fans, partners and supporters to show racism the red card together.

FFC Turbine Potsdam

SV Sandhausen

Join us!

Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) Europe is an anti-racism and anti-discrimination programme coordinated by EFDN. Professional clubs, grassroots clubs, schools and other partners and individuals can join the campaign and deliver our #DiversityWins educational programme. Sign up now and download our resources to make a stand against racism and discrimination.

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