FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called two alleged incidents of racist abuse during German Cup games “unacceptable,” as local police investigate.
The remarks followed Schalke’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei reporting racist abuse by fans during a match at Lokomotive Leipzig, where he was whistled throughout the game. In a separate incident, a Kaiserslautern substitute was allegedly racially abused while warming up in a game at RSV Eintracht, according to the team’s coach. Both incidents occurred in first-round matches hosted by lower-league clubs from former East Germany.
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“It is unacceptable that incidents have occurred at two DFB-Pokal matches in Germany. Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination,” Infantino said on social media. He added that FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel would remain in contact with the German football federation.
Antwi-Adjei has filed a police complaint, while at RSV Eintracht, fans and security quickly identified the alleged offender, prompting chants of “Nazis out” from both sets of supporters.
The incidents follow Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reporting racist abuse during a match at Liverpool, leading to the brief stoppage of the game and the arrest of a 47-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense. FIFA has said its Players’ Voice Panel will also contact Semenyo.
Source: Agency