Bundesliga: German League signs anti-homophobia charter

The DFL (German Football League) have announced the signing of the "Berlin Declaration", an anti-homophobia charter for sport, on the 27/11/2013.

"The league association sets a clear signal against homophobia by joining the Berlin declaration. Open-mindedness and tolerance have to be a Bundesliga trademark," said Reinhard Rauball, the president of the DFL in a statement. "That also includes a clear statement against homophobia. Sexual orientation, as well as the colour of skin or religion, shall not be allowed to be a pretence for exclusion or denial. It is embarrassing that even today it does not go without saying when people confess to their homosexuality."

The DFL had initially refused to sign the charter, on the 17/07/2013, and Reinhard Rauball said that "he did not believe football was ready for gay players to come out".

25 clubs (including Bayern Munich) and other various associations have signed the Charter which states that "the key words in sport are respect, tolerance and fair play."