Starting point of the project
Anti-Semitic abuse, threats and violent attacks against Jewish and non-Jewish clubs, players and their fans are not a new phenomenon in both professional and amateur football. To date, however, sustainable and preventative measures to combat anti-Semitism as well as research that contributes to education and the further development of educational programmes have only been available in isolated cases. The qualitative project "Who against whom? Violence, marginalisation and the 'Jew' stereotype in football" by the Education and Encounters Department of the Bergen-Belsen Memorial addressed this gap in research and practice.
Project objectives and target groups
The aim of the project phase between May and December 2020 was to develop recommendations for action to prevent antisemitism in football through historical-political education work. Interviews were conducted with experts at various levels of organised football in Lower Saxony in order to develop needs-oriented and target group-specific educational offers. In addition to the associations, professional clubs, fan projects and fan initiatives, amateur clubs were also interviewed in the study at the grassroots level. Other experts from the professional world and civil society were also involved in the research process.
Lifeworld-related educational programmes
During the project phase in 2021, historical and political education programmes on the prevention of anti-Semitism were developed and implemented together with stakeholders in sport. This education work has been established as a permanent programme at the memorial since the beginning of 2022. In various formats, anti-Semitism is not only dealt with in the context of the Holocaust, but also linked to current sport-specific manifestations. In this way, the aim is to relate to the living environment and social space of the various target groups in the field of sport. Alliances against anti-Semitism and discrimination in sport are largely based on the commitment of volunteers. The existing networks against discrimination in sport and civil society involvement are to be strengthened with the help of the results of the research project through practical educational programmes.
Following on from the first two project phases of "Wer gegen Wen?", the project "Kick Dis Out - Antisemitism and anti-Muslim racism in football" was also developed and launched in 2022. In the project, the young people taking part in the programme will address various aspects of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim racism on several dates in Lower Saxony and beyond, engaging in an intensive exchange with each other and with experts.
Cooperation partners and sponsors
In 2020, the Bergen-Belsen Memorial and the World Jewish Congress cooperated on the project, which also provided financial support during this project phase.
The project was funded as part of the Federal Program "Living Democracy" with funds from the BMFSFJ through the Lower Saxony Democracy Centre (L-DZ) and with funds from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Justice through the State Programme for Democracy and Human Rights and the Lower Saxony Memorials Foundation.
The project is funded by the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF).
Recommendations for action against anti-Semitism in football
This brochure is aimed at all stakeholders who play an important role in working against anti-Semitism at the various levels of football - associations, clubs, players, fan projects, fans and other committed individuals. The recommendations for action presented in the brochure are intended to show all those involved how they can get involved and encourage them to become active. In particular, the existing networks against anti-Semitism in football and civil society engagement should be strengthened and empowered with the results of the project.
