FOOTBALL IS MORE
Football is more than a sport –
Football stands for team spirit and fair play. Football creates joy and excitement.
Football is for everyone.
And above all: football is a school of life.
This basic principle is both the cornerstone of and the driving force behind the non-profit FOOTBALL IS MORE foundation (FIM). It was established in 2011 in Vaduz in the Principality of Liechtenstein under the patronage of HSH Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein.
The Foundation
The purpose of our foundation…
…is to support and nurture disadvantaged people through the power of football – and therefore to empower them in the long term. We pay particular attention to children and young people who are socially disadvantaged, have mental and/or physical disabilities or live in crisis areas and developing countries.
A central role in achieving our goals…
…is played by the FIM-Family – a network composed of football clubs, non-profit organisations and benefactors as well as representatives from business, science and politics. Together with them, we organise and carry out national and international funding projects. The broad scope of the FIM-Family enables our foundation to make the best possible use of the positive qualities promoted by football.
Our mission
Through the power of football, we make the inclusion and participation of disadvantaged people in society possible and make education and health accessible to them.
We focus our global activities on
children and young people.
Our vision
Our vision is an inclusive world that is worth living in and in which everyone can live a self-determined life in dignity.
Through our work we want to help build a society in which everyone is given the opportunity to make full use of their resources, to develop their individual talents and to shape their lives according to their own aspirations and wishes.
Our values
Our guiding values are diversity, equal opportunities and inclusion.
We value and respect people from all backgrounds and promote a culture of diversity, equal opportunities and inclusion. This position applies to all nationalities, social strata, religious convictions, ways of thinking, genders, cultural identities, ages and abilities.
Beneficiaries
As a charitable foundation, we offer our services to people at home and abroad who are prevented by a disability and/or their background from fully participating in society.
We focus our global activities on children and young people with physical and/or mental disabilities, as well as their families. In crisis and developing countries, we focus on disadvantaged children and young people, as well as their families.
Our goals
Our foundation aligns its goals with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
From them, we derive further goals for our projects and thus lay a foundation on which children and young people can build their futures. The following Sustainable Developments Goals of the United Nations play a crucial and pioneering role in our work:
"Football has a unique ability to unite people regardless of their origin, abilities, or backgrounds. Through the sport, we can break down barriers and promote inclusion by playing, learning, and growing together. Football is more than just a game; it's a platform that connects us and teaches us to celebrate our differences and triumph together as a team."
H.S.H. Princess Tatjana von und zu Liechtenstein and Philipp von Lattorff, Patrons
The FIM team
Staff member
Hanspeter
Rothmund
Managing Director
«I was able to experience many things through football, both positive and negative. In any case, the sport has the power to combat dark instincts and forces. My mission at FOOTBALL IS MORE is to bring about greater humanity through education.»
Jana
Casotti
Assistant to Managing Director & Relationship Manager
It all began with a vision:
"A future in which every person is touched by the heart and humanity can be deeply lived and experienced."
This intention led me to the FOOTBALL IS MORE foundation.
It is precisely these values that are lived here and carried to the outside world, because every spark of warmth and cordiality leads to togetherness and mutual support.
True to the motto:
"If you want to be EXCLUSIVE in the future, you can live and act INCLUSIVELY, because humanity is a strength."
Leonard
Stein
Since I can remember, football has played a central role in my life. Even as a child, the sport was so much more than just a game to me – it was my retreat, my escape from everyday life. No matter what was happening around me, as soon as I stepped onto the pitch, everything else faded away.
Today, it brings me immense joy to see how football can give so much to others as well – regardless of their life circumstances or physical abilities. Football is not only about having fun; it creates a sense of community, builds confidence, and provides strength.
Cengiz
Biçer
Senior Project Manager
«Through my 15-year career as a professional footballer and national goalkeeper of Liechtenstein, I was able to gain a lot of experience on the international football stage. The most important experience I have made is that success in team sports can only succeed through integration and inclusion. Football is an ideal sport discipline for everyone, regardless of their social background, to live integration and inclusion.»
Noëlle
Carrabs
Assistant to the Managing Director
«Everyone should be given the right to shape their lives according to their wishes. I am certain that our commitment at FOOTBALL IS MORE can help that to happen.»
Sandro
Erni
Junior Project manager
Football is more. Not just for me, but for society as a whole. No other sport has the global power and size to communicate the really important issues to all cultures and levels. Football unites and allows an activity to be carried out together with the simplest of means.
Football has been the centre of my life for as long as I can remember. All the values that I have been able to define for myself have been learnt through football and the team and club spirit.
Togetherness. Acceptance. Movement. Joie de vivre.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
The foundation’s Board of Trustees
Urs Markus
Kranz
Proprietor and Managing Director
Graduate businessman and
graduate business economist from
a higher college for business and
administration
Trustee
«People are different but equal in dignity and rights. If we are serious about ensuring that people with disabilities or social disadvantages have the same rights as people without disabilities, then we must be prepared to develop our society in this direction. This will not be possible overnight, not even in sport. Sport is not a panacea, but it does offer the opportunity to break down barriers.»
Thomas
Hengartner
Member of the Board of Trustees Proprietor and Managing Director
Leadership and Sales training,
Team Development,
Individual Coaching
«I was able to realise my childhood dream of being a professional footballer and these emotions and experiences over 12 years are unforgettable. I see it as my mission to respect different cultures and people from different backgrounds. The FOOTBALL IS MORE Family enables disadvantaged people to experience emotions in sport and give them joy and the WE feeling.
Passing on my experience in management positions in various companies and as a coach in the world of sport and business today motivates and fulfils me greatly.
Being part of the FIM family is a significant milestone in my life.
Gratitude is the memory of the heart.»
Melanie
Dietiker
Member of the Board of Trustees,
Founder & Managing Director,
C-Level Marketing Manager,
CAS-HSG SME Management,
International Dipl. Communications Manager
«Tolerance, inclusion and intercultural issues are important aspects of my life. Treating all people, regardless of their origin, as equals and with appreciation and respecting them is a matter of course for me.
Inclusion has taken on a completely different significance in my actions since my husband was diagnosed with ALS. When you have a person with disabilities at your side, you experience a lot of good things, but also a lot of negative things.
Together with the team, I want to break down barriers and take small steps together to create meaning, achieve great things, shape impact and advocate diversity, equal opportunities and inclusion. I would like to contribute my experience, knowledge and contacts to the foundation to help disadvantaged children and young people. Being part of the FIM-Family is a real enrichment for me.’
Because you can only see well with your heart!
Prof. Dr. Jürgen
Buschmann
Honorary President of the Board of Trustees, lawyer
«I would like to use the fascination and power of football, which affects all areas of society around the world, to help disadvantaged children and young people and I would like to contribute my experience, knowledge and contacts to the foundation.»
Alois
Kessler
Honorary President of the Board of Trustees, lawyer
«We know that we are all normally different. And yet there are millions of young people who are disadvantaged, living in poverty and/or with a disability, on the margins of society. With my contribution to the FOOBALL IS MORE Family, it is very important to me to use the integrative power of football to bring disadvantaged children and young people closer to society in order to promote joy and togetherness.»
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Armin
Ospelt
President of the Board of Trustees, Proprietor and Managing Director
Consultant in Business and Marketing Strategy
«We know that we are all normally different. And yet there are millions of young people who are disadvantaged, living in poverty and/or with a disability, on the margins of society. With my contribution to the FOOBALL IS MORE Family, it is very important to me to use the integrative power of football to bring disadvantaged children and young people closer to society in order to promote joy and togetherness.»
Hanspeter Rothmund
Founder, Member of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director
«I've experienced a lot through football, both positive and negative. Sport definitely has the power to counteract dark instincts and powers. My mission with FOOTBALL IS MORE is to enable more humanity through education.»
Alex
Geissbühler
Vice President of the Board of Trustees, Financial markets expert
«Sport has given me a lot personally.
Sport can bring people of different backgrounds and abilities together and give them the opportunity to learn and grow together.
I am behind FOOTBALL IS MORE's initiatives and programmes where they use sport to improve educational opportunities and include people with disabilities.»
Carole
Hertig
Member of the Board of Trustees, President and founding member of Seven Association
«For me, inclusion is at the centre of all my efforts. It is very important to me that all people, regardless of their abilities, have access to sports programmes and can use them under the best possible conditions. For me, inclusion means not only participation, but also the full appreciation and integration of each individual into the community.
I am therefore particularly honoured to join the ‘FOOTBALL IS MORE’ family to continue this important mission. Together, we can ensure that sport remains an inclusive and enriching experience for all, and I look forward to contributing to this important work.
When you have everything, you have to be able to give.»
Special Advisor
Honey
Thaljieh
Co-founder of women's football in Palestine, current Corporate Communications Manager at FIFA
Dr. Rudolf Batliner
Former Manager of LED, Liechtensteinischer Entwicklungsdienst, former coordinator of studies at NADEL – Center for Development and Cooperation – ETH Zurich
Fritz
Quien
Diversity Coach FIM-Family
Coach VfB Stuttgart PFIFF- Project for Inclusive Football Promotion, DFB Football Coach with A-Licence
Prof. Dr. Mathias Bellinghausen
Professor and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Sports Management at the University of Applied Management, Chairman of the Board, GPeV – Society for Prevention GPe.V.
Daniela
Bas
President and Founder
DB SustainABILITY Advisory Boutique Int.
Georg
Schlachtenberger
Business Consultant & Sports Management
Jim
Cassell
Former Director. of the Manchester City F.C. Football Academy
H.E. Mohamed Fadel Al Hameli
President of UAE Paralympics
Reiner
Calmund
Football official, former manager, presentor and book author
Our Ambassadors
Werner Grabherr
Coach, Austria
Like many football coaches, Werner Grabherr’s career began on the pitch: in 2004 he made his professional debut for SCR Altach and eight years later, when he was at FC Egg, he retired as a player. Werner Grabherr then returned to his roots to become the trainer of SCR Altach, a position that he held until 2019.
Diego
Benaglio
Ex Swiss national goalkeeper
Diego Benaglio is still the "goalkeeper of the hearts" for many Swiss. Although he has not been in goal for the Swiss national team since 2014, his performances in international tournaments have won him countless fans.
Diego Benaglio played 61 games for the Swiss national team during his career.
Diego Benaglio announced the end of his career on 18 August 2020.
Daniel
Nodari
Footballplayer & Youth Coach
Daniel Nodari is a junior football coach since many years, he enjoys it very much and football is his life, no matter if on the pitch or from the sidelines.
He also plays football himself. Working with people with disabilities is a lot of fun and a matter close to his heart.
"I am proud to be part of the FIM team.
Everyone should have the chance to play football, no matter how disadvantaged they are. Football unites people. "
Rolf
Leimgruber
Human & Personality
Rolf Leimgruber is a truly unique personality.
For him, people and connecting with others are at the heart of his life.
He has always been fascinated by the world of creative expression, whether through words or actions.
His life journey consistently leads him to places where he creates space for noble and good causes through his influence.
He actively and unconditionally supports changes that lead to greater humanity.
Those who know Rolf Leimgruber understand how his humor and character captivate and inspire people.
Quote: "To live also means to be there for others."
Alexander
Fangmann
Captain of the German National Blind Football Team; Sports Inclusion Manager at the Sports Federation Württemberg
Alexander Fangmann advocates for greater awareness of the rather unknown facets of football. Through educating and training coaches and club staff, he wants to achieve that people with disabilities have access to football at all levels.
Demba
Ba
Ex-Footballer
Demba Ba’s success has not been without challenge. Challenge from the streets to the pitch. Whether it has been injury or a team’s change of plans, Ba has persevered through each obstacle. Playing for Chelsea FC back in 2013, made him the first ever Senegalese player to join the club. His success can be attributed solely to his deep devotion to the game itself, since day one. Ba has also played for the Senegal national team since the beginning of his professional football career.
Simone
Rapp
Professional footballer
Simone Rapp was born and raised in Ticino.
Simone is currently playing for Neuchatel Xamax FCS in the Challenge League in the 2023/24 season.
"Football is a sport for everyone and I believe that FIM's work conveys this valuable message in the best possible way."