Professional footballer from Schalke allegedly racially abused in Leipzig?
In a regrettable incident during the DFB-Pokal first-round match on August 17, 2025, between 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig and FC Schalke 04, Christopher Antwi-Adjei of Schalke was subjected to suspected racist insults. The offensive words reportedly included the phrase, "Fucking nigger."
The incident, strongly condemned by Schalke 04, saw Antwi-Adjei being racially abused by at least one home supporter. The abuse was so severe that it continued even after a stadium announcement and some attempts to address the issue during the match. This continued booing of Antwi-Adjei was described as "utterly incomprehensible and disappointing" by Schalke's coach, Miron Muslic.
Lok coach Jochen Seitz, in response, suggested a lifetime stadium ban for the offender. The police have since launched an investigation into the matter. As of the latest updates, the investigation is ongoing, and no public details of consequences or sanctions for the perpetrator have been released yet.
Referee Max Burda paused the game after 14 minutes to consult with the captains of both teams. Antwi-Adjei, despite being booed every time he touched the ball during the game, remained relatively calm and signaled the linesman about the incident.
Despite the hostile environment, Antwi-Adjei emphasized the importance of focusing on the sporting aspect. He stated that he could live with the booing, despite finding it a bit contradictory. Miron Muslic holds high respect for Antwi-Adjei for his ability to perform despite the incident.
Schalke posted a message on the platform X during halftime, urging a stand against racism. Lok spokesman Carsten Muschalle reported that they could not verify the incident during halftime. An employee of Lok, who was in a wheelchair near the incident, did not hear any racist remarks. However, no one around the linesman, who was near the incident, reported hearing any racist remarks.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the racist abuse incidents in German Cup games around this time as "unacceptable," highlighting the seriousness with which these matters are treated. The Schalke 04 board, represented by Frank Baumann, expressed strong condemnation and hope that the perpetrator will be identified and reflects on their actions. Antwi-Adjei himself emphasized the unacceptability of such behavior and hopes for accountability.
Antwi-Adjei hopes the person responsible for the racist insult thinks again about their words. He expressed that it was "very, very disappointing" but remained focused on the game. After a warning from the stadium announcer, the game resumed following a two-minute break.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat racism in sports and society at large.
The incident of racial abuse targeted at Christopher Antwi-Adjei during the DFB-Pokal match between 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig and FC Schalke 04 has sparked a call for accountability. Despite the hostile environment, Antwi-Adjei emphasized the importance of focusing on sports-analysis, expressing his hope that the offender will contemplate the implications of their actions and learn from their mistake. The ongoing investigation aims to identify the person responsible for the vile racist insults and hold them accountable.
