Novum in Germany: Third League match suspended due to racism

Sunday’s German league match between Duisburg and Osnabrück was abandoned during the first half. The reason for this was a racial slur against one of the visiting players. Punishments for the home fans and the club are yet to be decided.

MSV Duisburg, who also used to play in the Bundesliga, are currently languishing in the third league, where they are third from bottom. Its Sunday opponent Osnabrück was relegated from the second league in the summer and is currently in the middle of the table.

The match between these two teams was abandoned in the 35th minute with the score 0:0. Aaron Opoku, a dark-skinned player of the away team, complained to the referee about racist abuse towards him.

Opoku is of Ghanaian origin, but was born in Germany and also represented Germany in the youth categories. He was understandably devastated by the behaviour of the home fans.

The referee immediately stopped the match and the players of both teams went to the dressing rooms. Most of the spectators present from both camps immediately spoke out strongly against racism, and the Duisburg spokesman was applauded.

The culprit has already been identified and is believed to be a fifty-five year old man who was supposed to say something about a “monkey” to Opoku It is not yet clear what punishment this fan will receive.

Nor is it certain how the club itself will be punished. It could be a forfeit, a replay from the start or a replay from the moment of the stoppage.

Source: Deník Sport