English soccer fans and members of the Football Association (FA) visiting Germany for a match between the two historic rivals visited the site of the Bergen-Belson Memorial site on Monday, in a trip organized by the Cultural Foundation of the German Football Association and the World Jewish Congress, and WhatMatters as part of the “Football and Remembrance” initiative.
Following @England’s opening round match at @EURO2024 we travelled to the site of the Bergen-Belsen memorial with @LordJohnMann, @BoardofDeputies, The FA, and dozens of dedicated supporters.Football ⚽️ provides an unparalleled platform for bringing people of all walks… pic.twitter.com/j29z4u9F7G
— World Jewish Congress (@WorldJewishCong) June 17, 2024
Who participated in the trip?
Participants included the UK Government’s Independent Advisor on Antisemitism, Lord John Mann, officials from The English FA and Maccabi UK.
The initiative “Football and Remembrance” launched ahead of the tournament, and sought to familiarize UEFA EURO 2024 attendees with the history of the Holocaust through visits to local Nazi historical sites.
“Sports. Crowds. Power.” explored the role of sports under National Socialism and delved into how the Nazis manipulated sports to consolidate power, the tragic impact of the Holocaust on European Jewish athletes and sporting clubs, and the contemporary role of sports in combating antisemitism.
