German football found itself at the center of a storm this weekend as two separate incidents of alleged racist abuse marred the opening round of the DFB-Pokal, Germany's prestigious cup competition. With matches featuring lower-league hosts and high-profile visitors, the ugly specter of discrimination cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of the sport’s diversity and excitement.
The first flashpoint came on Sunday, August 17, 2025, during Schalke’s tense 1-0 victory over Lokomotiv Leipzig. The match, played in Leipzig, was abruptly interrupted in the 13th minute. Schalke’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei, a German-born left winger who represents Ghana internationally, confronted fans after being subjected to racist abuse from the stands. The referee halted play for about three minutes, and the stadium announcer took to the microphone, urging supporters to “refrain from using racist or discriminatory language.”
Antwi-Adjei, visibly shaken, reported the incident to the assistant referee. After the match, he spoke candidly about the ordeal, telling Sky TV, “It’s not acceptable, not in this day and age, not at all. I don’t want to repeat the words that were used, but it’s disappointing. I’m not the type to go home and cry, but still it’s disappointing that it happens on the field these days.” Despite the intervention, Antwi-Adjei faced a hostile reception for the remainder of the match, with home fans booing him whenever he touched the ball.
Lokomotiv Leipzig, for their part, claimed that no other reports of racist abuse had been received. The match ultimately resumed, with Schalke grinding out a win after extra time, but the incident overshadowed any sporting achievement. The German Football Association (DFB) quickly responded, launching an official investigation into the events and initiating proceedings against the clubs involved. “The supervisory committee is investigating the incidents and initiating investigations against the respective clubs,” a DFB spokesperson confirmed to Germany’s DPA news agency on Monday, August 18.
The second incident unfolded later in the day at the Karl Liebknecht Stadium in Potsdam, where lower-league Eintracht Stahnsdorf hosted second-tier Kaiserslautern. During the second half, a Kaiserslautern substitute warming up on the sideline was reportedly racially insulted by a member of the crowd. This time, swift action was taken: spectators and security staff helped identify the alleged perpetrator almost immediately. The match, which Kaiserslautern won emphatically 7-0, continued without interruption, but the episode again highlighted the challenges facing German football.
According to the Associated Press, fans of both teams rallied together in the aftermath, chanting “Nazis out” in a clear rejection of the abuse. The solidarity in the stands was a powerful moment, but it also underscored just how far the sport—and society—still has to go to root out racism.
Hermann Winkler, president of the Northeast German Football Association (NOFV), was in attendance at the Lok Leipzig vs. Schalke match. While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, he urged caution before drawing conclusions. “While it is necessary to deal with this serious issue quickly, let’s stop speculating and assigning blame before the match report and the results of the police investigations have been evaluated,” Winkler told DPA. He also noted that he did not “notice any xenophobic atmosphere” during the game, a statement that has sparked debate among fans and commentators alike.
The response from football’s highest authorities was swift and unequivocal. FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned both incidents, issuing a statement on August 18 that left no room for ambiguity. “I will repeat myself and I will keep doing it: In football, there’s no place for racism or other forms of discrimination,” Infantino declared. He called on the DFB to clarify what happened and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Infantino emphasized, “FIFA, the players’ committee and the entire football community stand by those affected by these incidents – we are determined to ensure that players are respected and protected and that competition organizers and law enforcement agencies take appropriate measures.”
Infantino further announced that FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel would be “in touch” with the German soccer federation and those impacted. “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 organizers and law enforcement authorities take appropriate action,” he added, reiterating FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance on racism.
Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German soccer federation (DFB), echoed these sentiments, saying, “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 confirmed that the DFB had already begun its own investigations into the two games, vowing to pursue the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
These troubling events in Germany have unfolded against a broader backdrop of rising concern over racism in football. Just two days prior, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported being racially abused by a spectator during a match at Liverpool in the Premier League. That game was briefly halted as the referee consulted with coaches and captains, and Merseyside Police arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense. The suspect was later released on conditional bail, with a ban from attending soccer matches in Britain pending further investigation. Infantino has also stated that FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel would contact Semenyo, demonstrating the governing body’s commitment to addressing such cases globally.
As investigations continue in Germany, the football community is left to grapple with difficult questions. How can clubs and authorities better protect players from abuse? What role do fans, security, and officials play in swiftly identifying and dealing with offenders? The fact that spectators and security at the Karl Liebknecht Stadium were able to quickly identify the alleged perpetrator offers a glimmer of hope that vigilance and solidarity can make a difference.
Yet, the incidents have also reignited debate about the persistence of racism in German football, particularly in regions with complex social histories. The DFB, FIFA, and local associations now face pressure to deliver not just words, but meaningful action—ensuring that stadiums across the country are safe, welcoming spaces for all participants.
For Christopher Antwi-Adjei and the unnamed Kaiserslautern player, the support from teammates, fans, and the wider football world will be crucial in the days ahead. As the investigations unfold and the DFB’s supervisory committee reviews the facts, all eyes remain fixed on how German football responds. One thing is clear: the fight against racism in the beautiful game is far from over, but the resolve to confront it has rarely been stronger.
With the DFB’s probe underway and FIFA’s backing, the coming weeks could prove pivotal in setting new standards for accountability and respect in German football. For now, the sport stands united in condemnation—and determined to ensure that such incidents never define the game again.
