🇩🇪 FIFA Condemns Racist Abuse in German Cup Matches

 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned the racial abuse reported during two German Cup fixtures over the weekend, calling the incidents “absolutely unacceptable.”

Zig Diaries Sports
Date: Monday, 18 August 2025
Time: 16:20 WAT
Location: 📍 Zurich, Switzerland

The incidents, involving Lokomotive Leipzig, Schalke, and Kaiserslautern, come just days after a similar case in the Premier League, highlighting ongoing concerns about racism in football.

On Sunday, a German Cup match between Lokomotive Leipzig and Schalke was temporarily halted after winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei reported being racially abused by home supporters. A stadium announcement condemned the abuse, but Antwi-Adjei continued to face jeers when play resumed. Lokomotive Leipzig later issued an apology for the incident.

In a separate German Cup fixture, a player from Kaiserslautern alleged racial abuse from a spectator at RSV Eintracht’s stadium.

“I repeat myself and will continue to do so. There is no place for racism in football,” Infantino said in a statement Monday. He added that FIFA would continue to monitor the incidents closely and work with the German Football Association to combat racism in the sport.

The German incidents follow a Premier League case in which Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo reported racial abuse during Liverpool’s 4-2 season-opening win on Friday. Merseyside Police arrested a man for a racially aggravated public order offence. Semenyo said the episode would “stay with him forever” but praised the response from players and officials, noting it showed “football’s best side when it mattered most.”

Infantino described the recurrence of such incidents as “absolutely unacceptable” and emphasized FIFA’s commitment to ensuring that football remains free from discrimination.

Fact-Check & Background
The incidents highlight a persistent issue of racial abuse in European football. FIFA and local authorities have vowed to act, with stadium announcements and club apologies forming part of immediate responses. 

German and English football authorities are investigating the cases, with the Premier League incident involving Semenyo leading to an arrest. 

FIFA continues to advocate for systemic measures to eradicate racism from matches, emphasizing collaboration with national football associations.

🏷️Tags: FIFA, Gianni Infantino, German Cup, Lokomotive Leipzig, Schalke, Kaiserslautern, Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Racism in football, Premier League, Antoine Semenyo, Football news, Zig Diaries Sports

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