Everything you need to know about discrimination in sports clubs – and how to contact the Landessportbund in Germany
Sport is not just a physical activity – it is also a key space for building confidence, promoting integration, and spreading values such as respect and tolerance. Nevertheless, discrimination in sports clubs remains a painful reality in Germany. Some people face unequal treatment because of their origin, skin colour, religion, gender or disability.
What forms can discrimination in sports clubs take?
Refusal of membership or subscription on the grounds of origin, religion or nationality
Exclusion from teams or competitions because of appearance or cultural background
Verbal harassment or psychological violence within the club
Lack of suitable facilities or access for people with disabilities
Legal framework
German Constitution (Grundgesetz)
Article 3 guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination for any reason.
General Equal Treatment Act (AGG)
The AGG also applies to sports clubs if they offer services to the public or operate as open membership organisations.
Responsibilities of sports clubs
Sports clubs have a clear duty to prevent discrimination and actively protect diversity. This includes:
Adopting clear anti-discrimination rules and making them known to all members, coaches and officials
Ensuring a safe training environment, free from racism, harassment and bullying
Providing training for staff, coaches and volunteers on dealing with diversity and responding appropriately to discrimination
What is the Landessportbund?
The Landessportbund (LSB) is the state sports association of each federal state and the highest coordinating sports body at state level. Its tasks include:
Supporting sports clubs in developing their programmes and structures
Promoting initiatives and projects against discrimination and racism in sport
Providing advice and support in cases of conflict, complaints or structural problems
How to contact the Landessportbund
1. Identify your federal state
Each German federal state has its own sports association, for example:
Landessportbund Berlin
Landessportbund Nordrhein-Westfalen
Landessportbund Bayern
2. Direct contact
Via the official website of the Landessportbund in your state
By sending a formal email, briefly explaining the issue or complaint
By phone – many Landessportbünde offer direct lines or contact persons for complaints and conflict cases
3. Support and follow-up
The Landessportbund can:
Mediate between you and the club and help organise talks
Provide initial legal guidance or refer you to suitable specialised bodies
In serious cases, support you in taking legal steps or filing formal complaints
What to do if you experience discrimination
Collect evidence
Write down what happened, including dates, times and the names of people involved
Keep messages, emails or chat histories
Secure witness statements from fellow members or spectators, if possible
File a complaint with the club
Submit a formal complaint to the club’s board, management or designated contact person
Many clubs have internal complaint mechanisms or trusted persons who are responsible for such issues
Contact the Landessportbund
If the club does not respond or you are not satisfied with the outcome, contacting the Landessportbund is an important next step
There you will often receive a neutral, higher-level assessment of your case
Seek legal and further support
Contact the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes)
Turn to local counselling centres and NGOs that support victims of racist, religious or other forms of discrimination
In serious cases, consult a lawyer specialising in labour, association or anti-discrimination law
Why tackling discrimination in sport matters
To uphold the core values of sport such as fair play, respect and equal opportunity
To build inclusive sports communities that actively promote integration and diversity
To raise awareness among athletes, coaches, parents and fans about the importance of equality and human dignity
Conclusion
Discrimination in sports clubs undermines the true spirit of sport and limits opportunities for integration and participation. If you experience discrimination, do not remain silent:
You have the right to a safe and respectful sports environment. Institutions such as the Landessportbund and other support organisations are there to help you – legally, socially and personally.
Key German terms
Landessportbund (LSB): state sports association
Diskriminierung: discrimination
Fair Play: fair play / playing by the rules
Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Bundes: Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency
Beschwerde: complaint
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and a range of sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some details may not yet be fully verified. Please treat the information in this article as an initial, non-binding guide and always contact the relevant authorities or qualified experts for binding, case-specific advice.
