The German Bundesliga has committed to work more intensively with fans in combating extreme right-wing tendencies through a new initiative that will provide more funds for anti-discrimination projects.

The programme, named ‘Pool for the promotion of innovative football and fan culture’ (PFiFF), will make €500,000 annually available for the encouragement of actions promoting anti-discriminatory and pro-civil society matters.

The initiative is the result of an agreement reached in May between the German Football Federation (DFB), the League Association (DFL) and the German regional governments.

“By funding this programme, we hope to give an impulse to new ways of working with our fans. The expansion of social related issues is at the forefront of our thinking because fan culture in Germany exceeds football match days.” said the DFL Chief Operating Officer Andreas Rettig.

The initiative also intends to provide an educational stimulus to be used in schools and clubs encouraging the involvement in similar projects and improve the dialogue between fans and the police.