Fritz Keller Joins Common Goal

DFB President pledges 1% to movement 

Society must move from individualism to collectivism, according to German Football Association President Fritz Keller who is the latest member of the Common Goal movement.

Keller will pledge 1% of his annual salary to the movement which will towards Thuringia-based social project Spirit of Football, which uses the popularity of football as part of its programs to promote socially unifying values such as diversity, teamwork and respect.

Since taking over as the DFB a little more than a year ago President Keller has been a strong advocate of value-based football and believes the Coronavirus pandemic shows more than ever the now more than ever

"The Corona crisis has clearly shown us how much we are dependent on each other within our society and that we can only manage the enormous social challenges of our time together,” he said.

“In order to position ourselves for the future, it is therefore more important than ever that we learn to see ourselves as part of a whole that we form together with other people and our environment.

“We are challenged to develop from an "I" society into a "WE" society, and soccer can be a role model for this development due to its great charisma.

“Whether it's climate change, integration or the fight against racism, soccer must set a good example for the pressing issues of our time.”

The Freiburg native joins a growing list of German Common Goal members which includes players such as Timo Werner, Serge Gnabry, Pauline Bremer, Babett Peter and Mats Hummels as well as coaches Julian Nagelsmann and Jürgen Klopp.

Having already presented a five-point plan for greater sustainability in football which was adopted by the DFB Executive Committee in the middle of the year, the 63-year-old is now sending out a further signal for social responsibility and teamwork in the football industry.

“I am committed to this at the DFB,” he added. “Particularly together with my Vice President Günter Distelrath and our Social Responsibility Commission, and I would now also like to advocate this as a member of Common Goal.

“A sustainable change in culture and awareness can only succeed as part of a team - which is why I am very happy to have comrades-in-arms like the Common Goal movement at my side, who are committed to working with us to mobilize the power of soccer as a driver for positive social change."