FIFA President Gianni Infantino has condemned as “unacceptable” two incidents of alleged racist abuse which marred German Cup fixtures, as police launched investigations.
Infantino’s remarks came a day after Schalke player Christopher Antwi-Adjei said he was subjected to racist abuse during a cup tie at Lokomotive Leipzig. The forward was whistled by sections of the crowd throughout the game after he reported the incident to the match officials.
In a separate case, a Kaiserslautern substitute was racially abused while warming up in a match at RSV Eintracht, according to the club’s coach. He did not identify the player involved.
Both incidents occurred as lower-league sides from the former East Germany hosted higher-ranked teams in the opening round of the competition.
“It is unacceptable that incidents have occurred at two DFB-Pokal matches in Germany,” Infantino wrote on social media, using the German name for the tournament. “Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination.”
The FIFA President said that the organisation’s Players’ Voice Panel would be “in touch” with the German football federation over the cases.
“Everyone at FIFA, the Players’ Voice Panel and the whole football community stands firmly with all those impacted by these events — we are committed to ensuring that players are respected and protected, and that competition organisers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action,” Infantino added.
Schalke confirmed late Sunday that Antwi-Adjei had filed a formal complaint about the abuse he suffered at Lokomotive Leipzig and that police were investigating.
At RSV Eintracht, security personnel and supporters quickly identified the alleged perpetrator, and fans of both teams were heard chanting “Nazis out,” German news agency dpa reported.
German Football Association President Bernd Neuendorf said the federation had already launched its inquiries into both matches.
“Racism and discrimination, hatred and exclusion have no place in football. We stand for diversity and respect. And alongside those affected and with those who stand up for our values,” Neuendorf said in a statement.
The incidents in Germany came just two days after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator during a Premier League match at Liverpool. The game was briefly halted as the referee held discussions with the coaches and captains of both teams.
Merseyside Police said Saturday that a 47-year-old man from Liverpool had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
On Monday, police confirmed he was released on conditional bail, with a ban preventing him from attending football matches in Britain.
Infantino has said FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel would also be contacting Semenyo following the incident.
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