DFL runs annual campaign promoting diversity, tolerance, compassion, cohesion and respect

With the motto "TOGETHER! Stop hate. Be a team." the DFL once again joined forces with Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs as part of its annual campaign to prevent discrimination in all its forms.

The campaign is part of an ongoing commitment by the DFL and the DFL Foundation to promote diversity and prevent discrimination in modern football. These campaigns have been in operation since 2012. Last year saw the introduction of the current motto: ‘TOGETHER! Stop hate. Be a team.’ Before that, the message was ‘Stop Racism’. The #BundesligaWIRKT platform provides an overview of the commitment made by the DFL and its clubs. 

The ‘TOGETHER!’ campaign ran parallel to an international initiative taking place between 17 and 30 March.

While last year, the focus was on the demand to “Stop Hate,” this year’s campaign focused on the positive message “Be a Team.”

Marc Lenz, DFL Managing Director and Chairman of the DFL Foundation Council, said: “Unity in society is currently particularly important in order to counteract division and shape a positive future. As a society, we must stand together as a team, in order to move forward – just as football exemplifies week after week on the pitch.”

Freiburg and Union Berlin players participated in the campaign at their Matchday 27 clash. - Alex Grimm

Partners of the DFL and the DFL Foundation again supported the ‘TOGETHER!’ campaign. That includes Derbystar, Distorted People, EA Sports, Milka, Topps, Funny Frisch, Tipico, Kickbase, KickIn, Sporthilfe and Deutsche Sportjugend. Derbystar, the official provider of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 match balls, issued special edition versions featuring the ‘TOGETHER!’ logo for Matchday 27.

Together with Distorted People, a special jersey has also been designed. It was worn by the first mascot to enter each field across every Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 stadium on Matchday 27. In cooperation with EA Sports, the ‘TOGETHER!’ jersey is also available on EA Sports FC25 in Ultimate Team mode from 21 March. Media partners around the world, including Sky, DAZN, Sport1 and ESPN have also been promoting the campaign message.

Bayern Munich and St. Pauli marked their support for the TOGETHER! campaign and Bayern's own anti-racism initiative before their Matchday 27 encounter. - IMAGO/Henning Rohlfs