Task force to kick violence, racism out of German football

German forward Gerald Asamoah (L) and German midfielder Michael Ballack (R), pictured June 2006. The German Football Federation (DFB) and German Football League (DFL) revealed they have decided to assemble a task force to combat violence, racism and xenophobia. The German Football Federation (DFB) and German Football League (DFL) revealed they have decided to assemble a task force to combat violence, racism and xenophobia.

The German Football Federation (DFB) and German Football League (DFL) revealed they have decided to assemble a task force to combat violence, racism and xenophobia.

The DFB and DFL will work in tandem to get an overview of where the problem areas lie in German football and the task force is aimed at helping with better communication and information.

"We want football without racism or violence. Parents and their children should not be afraid of being roped in to fighting on the pitch with idiots," said DFB president Theo Zwanziger.

"From the regional league downwards there are always incidents of violence. We must react to that."

The latest act of violence came over the weekend in the regional match between Dynamo Dresden and Hertha Berlin's reserve team resulted in 23 policemen becoming seriously injured as fans lost their heads.

It followed the controversial cup tie between Hertha Berlin and Stuttgart Kickers which was abandoned after the assistant referee was injured by an object launched from the crowd.

After hosting a safe World Cup in the summer, German football has had its image tainted by violent acts from supporters with racism also emerging as a problem.

A controversial cup match on September 9 started the racism row with Schalke 04's Ghana-born German international Gerald Asamoah subjected to monkey chants by the fans of Hansa Rostock's second team.