Social debate: DFB boss worried about right-wing extremism: “We are alarmed”

Social debate
DFB boss concerned about right-wing extremism: “We are alarmed”

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf intervened in the current social debate about right-wing extremism with clear words.

“The DFB views the increase in anti-constitutional attitudes and aspirations as well as racism, discrimination and exclusion with great concern. We are alarmed,” said Neuendorf in an interview with “Neue Westfälische”: “The DFB resolutely opposes those who pursue inhumane and unconstitutional efforts. I personally include the AfD in this.”

In the past few days, numerous professional football clubs in the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga have used their reach and drawn attention to demonstrations against right-wing extremism via social media channels.

Freiburg’s coach Christian Streich also called for people to take part in the nationwide protests against right-wing extremism. “If you don’t stand up now, you haven’t understood anything. (….) It’s five minutes to twelve. (….) Everyone in this country is called upon to stand up and, in their family circle, at work or elsewhere, to position ourselves very clearly,” said Streich when asked how he saw the role of football and its fans in the demonstrations.

The background to the current many rallies across Germany is a meeting of right-wing radicals with politicians from the AfD and individual CDU members in a Potsdam villa, which was publicized by the media company Correctiv. The former head of the Identitarian Movement in Austria, Martin Sellner, said he spoke there about “remigration”. When right-wing extremists use the term, they usually mean that large numbers of people of foreign origin should leave the country – even under duress.

dpa