Football, often celebrated as the world’s game, faced a sobering weekend as two German Cup matches were marred by incidents of alleged racist abuse, prompting swift condemnation from the highest levels of the sport. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, never one to mince words on matters of discrimination, called the events “unacceptable” and reaffirmed the sport’s commitment to eradicating racism from its ranks. The incidents, which unfolded on August 17, 2025, have reignited the conversation about the persistent challenge of racism in football stadiums, even as fans and officials alike demand change.
The first of these troubling episodes occurred during a DFB-Pokal first-round clash between Lokomotive Leipzig, a lower-league club from the former East Germany, and Bundesliga side Schalke. Schalke winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei reported being subjected to racist abuse by home spectators. According to multiple sources, the match was halted after Antwi-Adjei brought the abuse to the attention of officials. In a rare move, an announcement was made over the stadium’s public address system, unequivocally condemning the racist behavior. Yet, as play resumed, Antwi-Adjei was met with persistent whistles and boos from sections of the home support—a stark reminder of the challenges that remain.
In the aftermath, Lokomotive Leipzig issued a public apology to Antwi-Adjei and Schalke, expressing regret for the incident. Schalke confirmed that Antwi-Adjei had filed an official complaint and that local police had launched an investigation. The response from the stands was mixed: while some fans continued their jeers, others joined in chants of “Nazis out,” signaling solidarity with the victim and a desire to drive bigotry from the terraces. Security personnel and vigilant supporters quickly identified the alleged perpetrator, a detail that underscores both the problem and the growing willingness of many fans to confront it head-on.
On the very same day, a second incident unfolded at RSV Eintracht, where Kaiserslautern, another visiting club, found itself at the center of a similar controversy. A Kaiserslautern substitute, whose identity has not been made public, was racially abused while warming up near the touchline. The team’s coach reported the abuse, and, much like in Leipzig, fans and security acted swiftly to identify the suspect. Once again, supporters from both sides joined in chants denouncing racism—a heartening, if bittersweet, show of unity in the face of hate.
Both incidents occurred as part of the German Cup’s opening round, a stage where smaller clubs from the former East Germany traditionally host more prominent teams. While these fixtures are often celebrated for their underdog narratives and passionate local support, this weekend’s matches were overshadowed by the ugliness of discrimination. The German football federation (DFB) wasted no time in responding. Its president, Bernd Neuendorf, issued a statement declaring, “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 also confirmed that the DFB had launched its own investigations into both games, vowing to hold those responsible to account.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking out on August 18, 2025, did not mince words. “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 competition. “Football has no place for racism or any form of discrimination.” He further emphasized that FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel—a body established to amplify the concerns of professional footballers—would be in direct contact with the German football federation. “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,” Infantino added.
But the reverberations of the German incidents were felt far beyond the country’s borders. Just two days earlier, the English Premier League’s opening weekend was marred by a similar episode. Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo reported that he had been racially abused by a spectator during his side’s match at Liverpool on August 15, 2025. The game was briefly paused as the referee consulted with coaches and captains, and Merseyside Police quickly arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense. The man was later released on conditional bail, with a strict prohibition on attending soccer matches in Britain. Semenyo, reflecting on the incident, wrote on social media that the abuse would “stay with him forever,” but he also praised the decisive response of players and officials, stating, “football showed its best side when it mattered most.”
Infantino, responding to the Premier League incident, reiterated his zero-tolerance stance: “I repeat myself and will continue to do so. There is no place for racism in football.” He confirmed that FIFA’s Players’ Voice Panel would also be in touch with Semenyo, highlighting the organization’s commitment to supporting those targeted by abuse and working closely with national associations to strengthen preventive measures.
What’s striking about these recent events is not just the recurrence of racist incidents in football, but the increasingly robust response from within the sport’s institutions and among fans. While the pain and trauma inflicted on players like Antwi-Adjei and Semenyo cannot be understated, there is a growing sense that the tide is turning. The swift identification of perpetrators, the immediate involvement of law enforcement, and the vocal opposition from supporters all suggest that the football community is more determined than ever to stamp out racism.
Yet, as Infantino and Neuendorf have both acknowledged, much work remains. The German Cup incidents, coming just days after the Premier League’s own reckoning, serve as a stark reminder that racism is not confined by geography or league. It persists in the stands, on the sidelines, and, at times, in the very fabric of the game. The challenge now is to ensure that the momentum generated by these responses leads to lasting change—through education, stricter enforcement, and a collective commitment to diversity and respect.
For now, investigations into the German Cup incidents continue, with both FIFA and the DFB promising close oversight and cooperation with local authorities. The coming weeks will likely bring further developments, as officials seek to hold those responsible accountable and to reassure players that their safety and dignity are paramount. As the football world watches, the message from Zurich, Berlin, and beyond is clear: racism has no place in football, and the fight against it will not relent.
