League in Russia continues on TV
DFL, BVB, Hopp and almost all donate to Ukraine
3/3/2022, 3:11 p.m
German football continues to show solidarity with the people of war-torn Ukraine. The DFL donates one million euros, BVB starts its own campaign, Dietmar Hopp supports a DFB foundation, numerous fan groups organize themselves. But one club feels under pressure.
The German Football League (DFL) is donating one million euros to the people of war-torn Ukraine while at the same time trying to crack down on the propaganda of the Russian state media. The DFL Presidium passed a corresponding resolution.
The donation includes all income that is still planned for the current season through the contract with the Russian media company Match TV – and from which the DFL says “does not want to benefit in the current situation”. At the same time, an extraordinary termination of the contract will initially be waived so that the “anti-war calls and appeals for peace from the German stadiums can continue to reach the Russian population”.
The prerequisite for this is that Match TV broadcasts the basic signal provided by the DFL unchanged on the coming matchday and beyond – including Ukraine-related messages from the league, players, clubs and fans. The DFL “will carefully check the broadcast of the Bundesliga transmissions in this regard”. If the “TV base signal were repeatedly censored, this would result in an extraordinary termination by the DFL”. In the event that no more license payments are received from Russia, the donation will be borne entirely by the DFL. The sum will be made available to aid organizations.
The DFL had condemned the Russian attack in the strongest possible terms – and recommended a minute’s silence at the games in the Bundesliga and the 2nd division last weekend. Clubs and players have also carried out numerous activities of their own, with more planned for the weekend. With a view to the upcoming match day, the DFL will display the logo of the Bundesliga and the second division as a sign of solidarity in the national colors of Ukraine in the international basic signal as well as on its own digital platforms.
BVB brings relief supplies to the Ukraine
Every cent counts!
Send an SMS with “Ukraine” at 44 8 44 (10 euros / SMS + costs for sending SMS if applicable)
or at rtlwirhelfenkinder.de
In addition to the DFL, numerous clubs are also working on independent fundraising campaigns. Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund will send 160 tons of medical supplies to the Ukraine. The campaign was developed by the club and the fans in the last few days and is only intended to be a first step.
The sponsors of the Ruhr region club and the club’s professional team have already announced their support for the campaign. The campaign is also supported by the Dortmund Clinic and the Westphalia-Lippe Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. The fans should be able to participate in the fundraising campaign via the club’s own foundation “Light up”.
In addition, the club offers a solidarity band “#StandWithUkraine” for 10 euros. The tapes are also offered at prices of 25 euros and 100 euros. In cooperation with logistics partners and the aid organization Libereco, the relief supplies will be delivered directly to Ukraine or to the border.
Hop donates
Hoffenheim majority owner Dietmar Hopp has already announced his support. With his foundation, he contributes one million euros to the emergency aid of the German Football Association. “In the face of Russia’s war of aggression, which violates international law, and the terrible suffering of the people in Ukraine, football must also take a clear position and face up to this humanitarian responsibility,” said Hopp: “The donation from my foundation will be used to buy relief supplies that will be used in the coming weeks in are urgently needed in Ukraine.”
The adapted Bundesliga logo.
(Photo: DFL)
On Monday, the DFB Foundation Egidius Braun and the “DieTeam” foundation provided emergency aid of 100,000 euros for needy children and young people in Ukraine as part of their “Children’s Dreams” initiative. The transfer of funds and the use on site are coordinated by the worldwide committed aid organization “Die Sternsinger” of the Kindermissionswerk.
Football journalist Felix Tamsut documented numerous other actions initiated by fans in a thread Twitter. Clubs such as Hannover 96, FC St. Pauli, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Dynamo Dresden, Werder Bremen, Schalke 04, Hertha BSC and SC Paderborn can be found in the almost comprehensive list.
Leipzig quarrels
The Bundesliga club RB Leipzig was recently criticized for its unclear position on the Ukraine question. After Spartak Moscow, fourth in the Bundesliga, was drawn in the Europa League last week, the club did not publicly advocate a boycott until recently, despite the war in Ukraine. “History shows that it is [ein Boykott, Anm. d. Red.] always hits the wrong people, primarily the athletes and the fans,” coach Domenico Tedesco said on Sunday.
With the exclusion of all Russian clubs, UEFA then created facts earlier in the week. Participants and Leipzig felt unjustly criticized. When asked about a possible donation for Ukraine, managing director Oliver Mintzlaff said on Wednesday: “Those who keep calling for RB Leipzig to donate now, they should start donating themselves before they talk about others.” He added that everyone should “start with themselves first” and that he thinks it is presumptuous “for strangers to ask us what we have to do with our money”.