Four-year term for Grindel

Reinhard Grindel has been re-elected as president of the German Football Association (DFB). Following his initial election at an extraordinary congress in April, Grindel was confirmed in office until 2019.

"We will continue our united path in amateur and professional football," Grindel said. "For me, the next years will be about improving the framework for our grassroots, and pushing on the implementation of our amateur football master plan."

Grindel spoke of the importance of balance between grassroots and professional football. "Our Bundesliga clubs cherish the work done by the amateur bodies,” he reflected. "The clubs in turn are well aware that many children and teenagers play because they want to emulate the stars of the Bundesliga and our national team."

Grindel also highlighted the role that sport, and football in particular, can play in the integration of refugees. He reported that more than 3,000 clubs have taken part in a DFB foundation project to help improve the lives of asylum seekers. In addition, the DFB president said that the association would be concentrating on "the further modernisation of its organisational structures."