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Bayern Munich are to set up a ‘training camp’ for refugees coming into Germany and will donate 1m euros (£730,000) for refugee projects. The club plans to provide food, German lessons and football equipment for children.
“Bayern sees it as its social responsibility to help the refugees,” said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
The decision comes following the continuous influx of migrants into Europe, with many in Hungary desperate to travel to Germany.
The number of migrants entering Europe has reached record levels this year, largely driven by the conflict in Syria. Germany expects to take in 800,000 asylum seekers this year – four times last year’s total.
Football clubs have been showing concern for the current migrant situation.
Bayern have planned to highlight the current refugee crisis in their next home match against Augsburg.
The game on September 12 will see the starting line-up enter the Allianz Arena “holding the hand of a German child and a refugee’s child”.
Bayern’s rivals and current league leaders, Borussia Dortmund invited 220 refugees to watch the side play Norwegian side Odd in the Europa League last Thursday. Rivals Mainz gave out 200 free tickets to their home match against Hannover last weekend.
Banners carrying positive messages in support of refugees were evident at last weekend’s Bundesliga matches.
Celtic of Scotland have announced that their share of the proceeds from this weekend’s Jock Stein 30th anniversary events will be devoted to assisting those people affected by the current refugee crisis.