FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemns ‘unacceptable’ racism after incidents in German cup matches

FIFA president Gianni Infantino says that two incidents of alleged racist abuse that the German cup matches are «unacceptable», as the German police are investigating.

The comments from Infantino came a day after Schalke’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei said that he was being subjected to racist abuse in a cup match in Lokomotive Leipzig. He was whistled by fans during the competition after reporting the incident to officials.

In another incident, a Kaiserslautern -replacement substitute was racist while warming up in a competition at RSV Eintracht, said the team’s coach. He did not mention the affected player. Both incidents took place when clubs with a lower league from the former East Germany organized larger teams in the first round races.

«It is unacceptable that incidents have taken place at two DFB-Pokal competitions in Germany,» wrote Infantino on social media, with the help of the German name for the competition. «Football has no room for racism or any form of discrimination.»

Infantino said that the FIFA players’ voting panel would be in contact with the German football federation.

«Everyone at FIFA, the voting panel of the players and the entire football community is sturdy with all those who are affected by these events – we are committed to ensure that players are respected and protected, and that the organizers of the competition and law enforcement agencies take appropriate action,» Infantino added.

Antwi-Adjei filed a complaint about the incident at Lokomotive Leipzig and the police were investigating, Schalke said late on Sunday. At RSV Eintracht, fans and security quickly identified the alleged perpetrator, and fans of both teams sang «Nazis Out», German Bureau Dpa reported.

The incidents in Germany came two days after Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo reported that he was racistly abused by a spectator while playing in Liverpool. The match was briefly paused when the referee spoke to the coaches and captains of both teams.

The police said on Saturday that a 47-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of a racially exacerbated public order. He was taken into custody to be interviewed.

Infantino has said that the Voting panel of the FIFA players would contact Semenyo.