Football fans in Berlin have come together to demonstrate against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, showcasing the sport's political voice ahead of the upcoming European Championships. Over 30 football clubs, fan groups, and organizations joined forces in a protest held in Berlin, where banners adorned with the crests of local football clubs and messages promoting inclusivity and opposition to fascism were displayed.

The protests formed part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations against the far right, sparked by revelations of secret plans to deport millions of people with immigrant backgrounds, including German citizens, as discussed by the AfD party, some right-wing Christian Democrats, and business individuals. Amid the 150,000 protesters gathered around the Reichstag on Saturday, the football community stood out with their vibrant flags and placards, exclaiming, "No football for fascists!" and "Football welcomes refugees!"

David Hoffmann, an organizer from the Berlin organization "Gesellschaftsspiele," emphasized the importance of standing up against the far right, particularly within the realm of sports. Hoffmann led the organization of a "sports bloc" within the broader demonstration, with 30 clubs and fan groups officially signing on to participate. However, the actual representation from the football community far exceeded these numbers.

The protests saw the participation of supporters from clubs ranging from the Bundesliga to grassroots teams, including Hertha Berlin fans of more than three decades and Union Berlin fans accompanied by their families. The demonstrations received backing from numerous Bundesliga clubs, and prominent coaches like SC Freiburg's Christian Streich and Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso expressed their support.

Football culture in Germany has historically been politically charged, with fans not shying away from raising their voices on various issues, such as commercialization, autocratic regimes leveraging football for their image, and police surveillance reforms. Unfortunately, German football still faces challenges with racist abuse in stadiums and online.

Looking ahead to the 2024 European Championships, which will be hosted by Germany, there are concerns of potential nationalist exploitation by the far right. Hoffmann stressed the need for critical discussions around nationalism and the role football plays in nationalist strategies, urging people to engage with their neighbors and friends to raise awareness about the far right's attempts to use football for their agenda.

In the face of these challenges, Berlin's football fans have demonstrated a strong commitment to defending democracy and promoting inclusivity. As the protests emphasized, football is a unifying force that transcends differences, reminding everyone that both the sport and democracy are for all.

Football's political voice has been highlighted by these mass demonstrations, and it is expected that the spirit of unity and resistance displayed by the fans will resonate throughout the upcoming European Championships and beyond.