Supportersof Union Berlin hurl insults at Swiss player
On Tuesday, July 28, 2025, a regrettable incident marred the friendly match between Union Berlin and 1. FC Schweinfurt 05, which took place in the afternoon at the Adi-Dassler Stadium in Herzogenaurach.
Union Berlin President Dirk Zingler spoke out strongly against the incident, stating that "Racists are idiots - even if they wear Union shirts." He added that anyone who degrades people has no place at Union.
The incident involved racist remarks made by a fan during the match. The offensive comments, which were reported to the police by other spectators, were "black pig".
Zingler also emphasised that Union stands for unity, not hate. He urged anyone who has a problem with this to leave.
Following the incident, Schweinfurt won the match by a score of 1:0, with the team remaining undeterred by the unsavoury behaviour of one individual.
Officers from Herzogenaurach Police Station approached the suspect after the game, and the police have since initiated an investigation for suspected incitement to hatred under § 192a StGB.
As of July 31, 2025, Union Berlin has publicly dissociated itself from the fan involved and condemned the racist behaviour. The club has taken a clear stance against racism, emphasizing zero tolerance for such acts at their matches.
However, specific details about the ongoing investigation, such as identification or sanctions against the perpetrator(s), have not been disclosed in the available information.
Union will remain in Franken for their training camp until Friday. The team has been training hard, despite the unfortunate incident, and will be looking to bounce back when they return to competitive action.
In the aftermath of the regrettable incident, Union Berlin has declared its strong opposition to racism, especially during sports events like the European leagues. The club, known for its stand against hate, has encouraged anyone with such prejudices to leave.
The European football leagues, including the one where Union Berlin competes, have been marred by incidents of racist behavior in the past, emphasizing the need for stricter measures against such acts.
