Bundesliga
Dortmund win UEFA award for work fighting racism
UEFA has named Borussia Dortmund as one of two winners of its 2019 Equal Game award, in recognition of the Bundesliga club’s work fighting the far-right, racism and discrimination, and promoting diversity and inclusivity in football.
As part of BVB’s efforts to educate its own fan base on racism, hundreds of supporters have visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, where over one million Jews were killed between 1940 and 1945.
Dortmund have also made substantial donations to the World Holocaust Centre, while UEFA singled out the club’s "clear policy on the humanitarian rights of refugees and asylum-seekers" for praise.
"Borussia Dortmund can be justifiably proud of their outstanding work to challenge far-right attitudes and actions, conveying the clear message that racism, intolerance and discrimination have no place in football," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
"The club has set an important example for other clubs throughout Europe to follow."
Dortmund's work is built on their Signal Iduna Park stadium's clear proviso that, "Racism, discrimination and antisemitism are not welcome here."
And while focused primarily in the local community, BVB are engaged in a variety of social issues globally. Back in April of this year, the Black-Yellows donated €1 million to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum in Israel.
"Borussia Dortmund feel that social engagement is extremely important," said CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, who made the trip to Auschwitz in 2017 and will collect the award at the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday.
"We are delighted that this engagement has been recognised with this prestigious UEFA award."