BERLIN (AP) The help being given to migrants by German soccer clubs was praised by German football federation (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach on Wednesday as he visited migrants in the central state of Hesse.
Niersbach paid tribute to eighth-tier side SG Egelsbach, which has been working with the Christian Refugee Aid group and set up a team for migrants called ''Refugees United.''
''That's exactly what (the DFB) had in mind,'' Niersbach said. ''You can issue so many dispatches from Berlin. But they have to be implemented locally. What's happening here is a fine example.''
He gave footballs signed by the German national team to players from countries including Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan.
The DFB founded the ''1-0 for a Welcome'' initiative to offer a payment of 500 euros ($560) to clubs who want to assist migrants.
''We want to assist amateur teams to help refugees play football quickly and without complications,'' Niersbach said.
