German clubs demand replay after racist abuse

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DUISBOURG, Germany

Two German football clubs on Monday demanded that their match be replayed after it was abandoned over racist abuse.

Duisburg’s third-division game between Duisburg and Osnabrück was interrupted on Sunday after monkey chants were directed at Osnabrück striker Aaron Opoku, the referee said. Osnabrück did not want to resume the match, which was canceled.

This was the first time that a match has been abandoned due to racism in Germany’s national professional men’s football leagues, so there is uncertainty on how to record the result. Both clubs said on Monday the game should be replayed, rather than forfeit either club. The final decision rests with the German Football Association as the governing body of the sport.

In a joint statement, Duisburg President Ingo Wald said both clubs wanted “football to leave the pitch in this situation as the winner and not as the loser” and that a replay is therefore “the issue”. only good decision “. The clubs have pledged to support an investigation.

Duisburg police said on Sunday that a 55-year-old man was suspected of shouting an insult and that investigations were continuing. The German Football Association announced a new anti-racism initiative on Monday with financial support from the government and a focus on working with third division clubs.

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