scandal in football: racist insult shocks Memmingen!

scandal in football: racist insult shocks Memmingen!

A blatant incident overshadowed a regional league game in Bavaria that heated up tempers. During the game between FC Memmingen and SpVgg Ansbach there were racist insults against an Ansbach player. The incident occurred in the turbulent final phase of the game, which ultimately ended 2-2 despite Ansbach leading 2-0 at the start. When the Ethiopian striker Noah Zerihun Gebre was insulted with monkey noises by the spectators, the disbelief in the air was palpable. The Schwäbische Zeitung reported this in a detailed article.

SpVgg Ansbach responded on Tuesday with a public statement condemning the incident and reiterating its support for Gebre. FC Memmingen was also dismayed by the spectator's behavior on Wednesday morning. In an official statement, the club made it clear that racism had no place in its ranks and announced that it would investigate the identity of the alleged culprit. Interestingly, referee Lothar Ostheimer did not notice the incident during the game, but he recorded the incident in the match report.

Legal action and a call for civil courage

The SpVgg Ansbach is planning legal action to clarify the matter and has filed a complaint against unknown persons. In doing so, they send a clear signal against racist attacks. At the same time, FC Memmingen appeals to the moral courage of the spectators. The association would like such insults not only to be recognized but also reported immediately. The lack of reaction during the insults raises questions about the behavior of those present.

Racism in football – a widespread problem

But the events in Memmingen are not isolated. Racism in football is a serious problem that comes up again and again in Europe. According to an overview by the Federal Agency for Civic Education, the problem of “color blindness” is often discussed in professional football, where the assumption that “only performance counts” often pushes structural racism into the background. The DFB campaign “Football time is the best time against racism” would like to draw attention to the issue and is introducing measures to combat such incidents.

The current situation shows how urgently football needs change to create an environment in which every player is respected and accepted, regardless of their background. This is not just a task for the big clubs, but also for the local amateur teams, which are often the first point of contact for young migrants.

In a society that views football as an integrative sport, incidents like the one in Memmingen are a wake-up call to stand together against racism. The strength of football could be used to break down barriers and promote respectful cooperation.

Link to the reports: Swabian newspaper, Northern Bavaria, Federal Agency for Civic Education.