Schalke advances over Lok in DFB Cup stress test beyond regular play.
In a regrettable turn of events, the first-round DFB-Pokal match between Lok Leipzig and Schalke 04 on August 17, 2025, was marred by a racial abuse incident.
Christopher Antwi-Adjei, a player for Schalke 04, was subjected to racial abuse from the stands during the first half of the game. The abuse occurred around the 13th minute when Antwi-Adjei went to take a throw-in. After the player and his teammate Kenan Karaman reported the incident, the referee stopped the match to allow a stadium announcement addressing the behavior.
Despite this and efforts to halt the abuse, sections of the home crowd continued to boo Antwi-Adjei whenever he touched the ball until the match ended.
Schalke 04, the opponent that eliminated Lok Leipzig, strongly condemned the incident. Sporting Director Frank Baumann expressed sorrow for Antwi-Adjei and emphasized the club’s firm stance against discrimination and racism. The club stated its commitment to identifying the perpetrator and supporting the affected player, who also reported the incident to the local police for investigation.
The match, played at Bruno-Plache-Stadion in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,900 spectators, resulted in a 0:1 loss for Lok Leipzig. The winning goal for Schalke 04 was scored by substitute Bryan Lasme in the 107th minute, after the game had gone into extra time due to the medical emergency that occurred during the match, causing a brief pause.
The broader football community responded with condemnation as well. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the incident "unacceptable," highlighting two cases of alleged racist abuse in German Cup matches. The German Football Federation (DFB) launched investigations into the matter, and police investigations are ongoing following the formal complaint filed by Antwi-Adjei.
In summary, the investigation into the racial abuse incident during the Lok Leipzig vs. Schalke 04 DFB-Pokal match is active, involving police inquiries prompted by the player's complaint, official condemnation by Schalke 04 and football authorities, and public attention to stamping out racism in football.
European leagues are under scrutiny following the racial abuse incident that took place during the DFB-Pokal match between Lok Leipzig and Schalke 04. Schalke 04, the European football club that emerged victorious from the game, fully condemned the incident and expressed a strong stance against discrimination and racism.
