The German Football Federation (DFB) has opened an investigation into alleged racist abuse incidents in two German cup matches, the German football -administrative body said on Monday after FIFA President Gianni Infantino convicted the incidents.
The alleged incidents of racial abuse took place on Sunday in the first round of DFB Cup matches, during the 1-0 victory of the second row of Schalke 04 away from the fourth row Lokomotiv Leipzig and during the second Tier Kaiserslautern’s 7-0 victory at Fifth-Tier RSV Eintacht.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said: «We stand for diversity and respect, and next to the affected and those who stand up for our values. The DFB control committee has opened investigation after the two German cup matches on Sunday.»
The match in Lokomotiv Leipzig was stopped in the 13th minute when Schalke midfielder Christopher Antwi-Adjei, who is black, reported racist insults of the crowd to the assistant referee. Antwi-Adjei, who is a Ghana International, was born in Germany.
The game was stopped for about three minutes before the stadium -broadcaster supporters encouraged to stop using racist or discriminatory language.
«The words reached me clearly and unmistakably before I was about to take a throw-in,» said Antwi-Adjei on social media on Monday.
“Who said she? Probably unknown. But these words were shouted loudly by a spectator and clearly show that this person has a problem with my skin color or origin.
«It is embarrassing and disappointing that this issue is still present all over the world. Only a fraction of racist insults and comments will ever be public.»
At RSV Eintracht, a Kaiserslautern was replaced player who warmed up on the touchline, reportedly focused on racist insults of the crowd halfway through the second half of their 7-0 win. The club did not mention the player in his statement.
«It is with great regret that racist abuse would have taken place in the last few days in football matches,» said Infantino, also the incident of Friday of Racial Abuse to Bournemouth player Antoine Semenyo in Liverpool.
«The voting panel of the players, founded as part of the five pillars against racism that was adopted by the FIFA congress in 2024, will contact the German Football Association (DFB) and will continue to follow these incidents closely.»
