Minute of silence and mourning ribbon
Football commemorates the killed youth in Berlin
06/01/2023, 7:20 p.m
After the violent death of a 15-year-old, the German Football Association is planning several campaigns to commemorate the youth player from Berlin and as a sign against violence. France, the home country of the alleged perpetrator, is also involved.
The German Football League commemorated the 15-year-old killed in a youth tournament with a minute’s silence before the relegation first leg between VfB Stuttgart and Hamburger SV (8.45 p.m. / Sat.1 and Sky). There was a moment of silence before kick-off in the Stuttgart Arena. The young footballer from JFC Berlin was critically injured in a physical attack by an opponent last Sunday in Frankfurt am Main and died on Wednesday.
The alleged perpetrator, a 16-year-old from France, is said to have hit the Berlin boy on the head from behind. He is in custody and, according to his club FC Metz, denies intentionally injuring the boy.
There will also be signs of mourning on Saturday (8 p.m. / ZDF and Sky) as part of the DFB Cup final between RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt in Berlin. The appeal “Together against violence” – accompanied by the stadium announcement and a moment of pause – can be seen on the video screen. The procedure is similar in the 21 state cup finals that take place on Saturday.
“Oppose violence even more decisively”
“This incredibly sad and shocking act at a football tournament for juniors leaves us speechless, but not inactive,” said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf: “Quite the opposite: it is an ultimate request to all of us to oppose violence even more – in the Football as in society as a whole.”
There will also be a minute’s silence on Friday evening as part of the U17 European Championship final between Germany and France in Budapest. Both teams will line up for a mixed team photo together.