Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Bayern, Dortmund, Bundesliga fans welcome refugees amid EU crisis

Bundesliga clubs and supporters have welcomed refugees to Germany amid the ongoing crisis in Europe, and have invited those forced to leave their countries to football matches.

Amid severe tension in Europe and Germany over the hundreds of thousands of refugees making their way to countries within the European Union, as well as protests and attacks on refugees' homes in parts of Germany, several Bundesliga fan groups took a clear stance to provide a welcoming atmosphere.

Bayern Munich supporters displayed a huge banner in the Allianz Arena stands on Saturday, with a message towards German politicians and the public: "Stirring up hatred against penniless Greeks and refugees. The problem's called racism. Racism out of the heads."

Borussia Dortmund fans also displayed a "refugees welcome" banner on their famous Sudtribune "Yellow Wall" stand. More banners were also seen at other Bundesliga grounds at the weekend.

The supporters have not been alone when extending a warm welcome, with several league clubs handing free tickets to refugees.

Dortmund invited a group of 220 refugees to their Europa League qualifier against Odds BK last week. Mainz handed out 200 free tickets to their home match against Hannover last weekend, and are set to welcome a further 400 when they host Hoffenheim in mid-September.

Late last week, Hannover handed over a complete set of jerseys and footballs to refugees in the town, and announced an invitation to future games.

On Tuesday, Schalke also made their stance clear in a video clip released on Twitter.

"We attack people who have nothing, who are looking for help. Just sit down, and question yourself, why do we do stuff like that?" former Germany international Gerald Asamoah said in the video, citing the attacks on refugee homes. "Stand up if you are human!"

Already last month, Welcome United -- Germany's first team to feature only refugees -- entered the country's league system.

Most of the other top tier clubs have also invited refugees to matches in the past, but have kept a low profile over their activities.

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