German Football Federation Sets New Membership Record, Topping 6.8 Million

The German Football Federation (DFB) "set a new membership record," according to the SID. The federation has a total of 6,851,892 members in '14, 29,659 more than during the previous year. The almost 7 million members "are registered in the DFB's 21 state federations." DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach said, "The membership record highlights the tremendous status and the high appeal of football in Germany." Clubs and women's teams "were also able to increase their numbers." The DFB counted a total of 25,513 clubs, which "is a new all-time high." The 5,855 women's teams "is also a new best." Only the overall number of teams "decreased slightly" (SID, 5/21).