The World Jewish Congress and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) hosted a meaningful gathering on Friday on the sidelines of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Berlin. The event, a component of WJC’s Together Through Sport initiative – a collaborative effort in partnership with the German-NGO what matters – included a guided tour of the impactful exhibition SPORTS. CROWDS. POWER. followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion addressing antisemitism in sports.
Attendees began their day by traveling to Berlin’s Olympic Park for an insightful tour of the SPORTS. CROWDS. POWER. exhibition presented by Andreas Kahrs and Julien Rieck of what matters. The exhibit, a joint-project with the Berlin Sport’s Museum and supported by WJC, delves into the complex history of football during the Nazi era, highlighting how the sport was manipulated during the national socialist-era for propaganda purposes and how it played a role in both uniting and dividing people. Through poignant displays about the history of Jewish sporting clubs and stories of persecuted athletes, visitors were encouraged to reflect on the broader societal implications of sports both historically and in the present day.
Following the tour, participants returned to the initial meeting point for a panel discussion featuring a distinguished lineup of officials. Opening remarks were delivered by Julien Zylberstein, UEFA Managing Director of European Affairs and Governance, and Thomas Herrich, CEO of Hertha BSC Berlin, as well as WJC’s Director of Diplomacy Dr. Leon Saltiel. They shared perspectives on the intersection of sports and the fight against antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust and ensuring such atrocities never occur again.
The event also featured two focused panels: one addressing structural conditions and human rights in combating antisemitism in football, and another highlighting the work individual clubs and athletes are engaged in.
The first panel, "Combating Antisemitism in the Context of Football: Structural Conditions and the Question of Human Rights," included Rabbi Alex Goldberg, Human Rights Activist and Chairman of the English Football Association's Faith Network; Dr. Vanessa Rau, Researcher at the Max Planck Institute; Dr. Pavel Brunssen, Expert on Antisemitism in Sports from the University of Heidelberg; and Prof. Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
The second panel, "From the Field—Best Practices in the Fight Against Antisemitism Through Sport," showcased practical approaches and successful initiatives from various football clubs and organizations. Panelists included Agisilaos Toumazatos, General Director of Aris FC Thessaloniki; Katharina Fritsch, Head of Community & Membership at 1. FC Nuremberg; what matters’s Daniel Loercher, Spokesperson for Anti-Discrimination and the Fight Against Antisemitism at Borussia Dortmund and Senior Consultant at the World Jewish Congress; and Karin Sendel, a football player at Hapoel Tel Aviv and former captain of Israel’s national team, who also serves as Chairwoman of the IFPO. The group highlighted real-world examples of how sports entities can effectively combat antisemitism and foster a culture of respect and inclusion.
Read More: English Football Visit to Bergen-Belsen Memorial Site
Earlier in the week, fans and representatives of the English football community were provided with an in-depth look at the Bergen-Belsen Memorial, a site of international remembrance since the end of World War II.
The delegation, which included individuals and Football Association (FA) representatives in Germany for the UEFA Euros 2024, gained an understanding of the connections between sports, particularly football, and the history of the Holocaust. The day featured a guided tour of the memorial site at the former Nazi concentration camp and a moving wreath-laying ceremony.
The visit came a day following England’s opening round victory against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
Board of Deputies of British Jews Vice President Andrew Gilbert recited “Kaddish,” the Jewish memorial prayer, at the obelisk memorial. Participants in the visit included the UK Government's Independent Advisor on Antisemitism, Lord John Mann, and officials from The English FA and Maccabi UK. The visit was co-organized by the Cultural Foundation of the German Football Association and the World Jewish Congress, together with WhatMatters as part of the "Football and Remembrance" initiative.
About Football and Remembrance
The initiative “Football and Remembrance” connects UEFA EURO 2024 attendees with the history of the Holocaust through visits to local memorials and former concentration camps. Developed in partnership with the German Football Association’s (DFB) Cultural Foundation, “Football and Remembrance” reflects on history by using sport as a bridge to the past. Special programming at each site highlights the interconnectedness of sports, history, and memory. A website, available before and during the tournament, also links visitors to host cities where memorials and museums are located.
