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Debbie Hewitt MBE represents FA at German FA's 125th anniversary celebration event

Tuesday 28 Jan 2025
Debbie Hewitt presents the DFB's president Bernd Neuendorf, general secretary Heike Ulrich and CEO Holger Blask with an engraved salver

FA Chair Debbie Hewitt MBE was in Leipzig last week as the Germany Football Association (DFB) celebrated their 125th anniversary.

 Over 450 guests, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, were present at the event which was a tribute to the history of German football.

With football initially described by the German authorities in the late 19th century as: “a desecration of Sundays, unpatriotic, an English disease and a passing folly,” thankfully this did not put people off and the game grew in popularity over the following years.

And in 1900, Johannes E. Kirmse and Walther Bensemann led the initiative to create an umbrella organisation for football in Germany – and the DFB was born, in Leipzig.

The evening was staged at the city’s Congress Hall, and showcased well-curated features from across all levels of the German game, incorporating music as well as thoughtful and touching speeches.

Star quality was present, with appearances by German greats such as Jürgen Klinsmann, Lothar Matthäus, Bettina Wiegmann and Doris Fitschen while relatives of Franz Beckenbauer were also present.

To commemorate this important milestone in the DFB’s long and rich history, Debbie presented their president Bernd Neuendorf, general secretary Heike Ulrich and CEO Holger Blask with an engraved salver.

"It was an honour to represent the English FA in Leipzig and to join the DFB for this milestone anniversary,” said Debbie, following the event.

“The warmth of everyone in the room was striking and the whole evening captured the affection, emotion and genuine inclusivity of the DFB.

“Whilst our two nations have a strong and healthy rivalry on the pitch, we also share a strong respect for each other as federations and the football in both countries.

“We congratulate the DFB on their anniversary and successes to date and look forward to building on our very positive relationship in the future.”

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels