Racism scandal shakes FC Energie Cottbus – Butler unpacks!

Racism scandal shakes FC Energie Cottbus – Butler unpacks!

On November 2, 2025, the discussion about racism in football in Germany flared up again when Justin Butler, a third division professional from FC Energie Cottbus, took a public stand after an incident in the away game against TSV 1860 Munich. Butler described his experiences as a “real shocking moment” and expressed himself upset, sad and thoughtful about what had happened to him. He described this experience as undesirable, which put not only him but also those responsible at the German Football Association (DFB) on alert. According to zvw.de, this incident has a significant impact on the DFB's current efforts to position itself against racism in German football.

The problem of racism in football is not new. With UEFA Euro 2024, which will take place in Germany, the DFB has already launched an anti-racism campaign entitled “Football time is the best time against racism”. This campaign aims to create greater awareness within the national football world and among amateur clubs, which are often the first port of call for young migrants and refugees. bpb.de reports that a change in awareness is urgently needed as many racist incidents continue to be ignored and the structural undertones of football are not adequately addressed.

Racism in football: A complex problem

The DFB has reported a decline in racist incidents in recent years, while independent bodies report an increase. This calls into question the credibility of the associations. Numerous high-profile players, such as Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, have publicly highlighted the lack of commitment against racism, highlighting the growing frustration within the gaming community. Another aspect is the “color blindness” in the football scene, which often leads to structural racism being overlooked, while statistics about the ethnic composition of players and managers reinforce this.

According to a study, racism in the form of offensive chants is often suspected in the Premier League, and racist stereotypes are also not uncommon in the Bundesliga. In the 2020/21 season, for example, 20.6% of players were black, but not a single black player kept goal. bpb.de also highlights that 87% of leadership positions in European football associations in 2022 were held by white men. These figures underline the urgency of promoting diversity and inclusion in football and resolutely counteracting racism.

Measures against racism

There are already a number of initiatives in place to address the problem of racism in football. League associations in Spain such as LaLiga and RFEF have launched the #1voiceVSRACISM campaign. Other possible measures considered effective include strict penalties against perpetrators of racist acts, including stadium bans, as well as consistent promotion of anti-racism programs and education within clubs. Players like Lauren James and Nicholas Jackson have also spoken out about their experiences with racism, making such action even more necessary.

It is clear that football can and should be a powerful tool for social integration. But the road to fair and respectful treatment within sport is still a long one. The voices of players like Justin Butler are helping to raise awareness of the issue and make it clear that it is high time to take a decisive stand against racism.