FIFA President Gianni Infantino has strongly denounced the reports of racial abuse during two German Cup fixtures over the weekend, calling the incidents “unacceptable” in a statement released on Monday.
“I repeat myself and will continue to do so. There is no place for racism in football,” Infantino stated firmly.
The first incident took place on Sunday when a clash between Lokomotive Leipzig and Schalke was temporarily stopped after winger Christopher Antwi-Adjei reported that he had been racially abused by home supporters. A stadium announcement was later made condemning racist behavior, but when play resumed, the Schalke player was met with repeated boos from sections of the home crowd. Lokomotive Leipzig issued an apology shortly after the game.
On the same day, another case emerged during the fixture between RSV Eintracht and Kaiserslautern, when a visiting player also alleged racial abuse from an individual in the stands.
Reacting to both situations, Infantino said FIFA would “continue to closely monitor these incidents” and pledged collaboration with the German FA (DFB) “in the fight against racism.”
These developments came only days after Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo alleged he was racially abused during Friday’s Premier League opener against Liverpool at Anfield. The match was halted in the first half after Semenyo reported the incident, which prompted swift intervention from officials. Merseyside Police later confirmed the arrest of a man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
Following the game, which Liverpool won 4-2, Semenyo wrote on social media that the experience would “stay with him forever,” but expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by fellow players and officials, saying “football showed its best side when it mattered most.”
Infantino, who had already issued a statement after the Semenyo incident, reiterated on Monday that it was “absolutely unacceptable that racist abuse has occurred at football matches for the second time in recent days.”
What you should know
Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President since 2016, has consistently spoken out against racism in football. His recent statements follow multiple incidents of abuse targeting players in both Germany and England.
Infantino has vowed to work closely with governing bodies to combat racism, reinforcing FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance on discrimination in the sport.
