In the first round of the DFB Cup, Schalke 04 is visiting Regionalliga side Lok Leipzig. The match is interrupted after just a few minutes.

Just thirteen minutes into the game, play was halted. In the first round of the DFB Cup, second-division side FC Schalke 04 was visiting regional league team 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig. Schalke’s Christopher Antwi-Adjei was about to take a throw-in in front of the main stand at Bruno-Plache-Stadion. However, Antwi-Adjei stopped the play and went to referee Dr. Max Burda—apparently because he had been insulted.

Antwi-Adjei then spoke with his captain, Kenan Karaman, who also spoke with the referee. This was followed by an announcement from the stadium announcer, which could not be heard in the media section, and a pause lasting several minutes. What prompted Antwi-Adjei to interrupt the throw-in remained unclear at first. The broadcasting network Sky speculated that it might have been racist remarks directed at Antwi-Adjei.

After a short pause, the match resumed. Not without consequences for Antwi-Adjei: From then on, he was booed every time he touched the ball.

During halftime, a spokesperson for Lok Leipzig told Sky that there were apparently two allegations: Antwi-Adjei was said to have been hit by an object—about which he had complained. However, there were reportedly also verbal insults earlier in the match. Lok Leipzig could not confirm this. Nevertheless, there was an announcement in the stadium calling on fans to refrain from racist insults. These—as the spokesperson said—had no place in the stadium anyway.

Schalke 04 has since also commented on social media. Alongside a photo of Antwi-Adjei, Schalke wrote: “Stand up against racism!”

After the game, Antwi-Adjei also commented on the incident: “That was racism. It has no place not only on the field, but also in everyday life. I don’t even want to repeat the words. I find this disappointing. These are isolated individuals in the stadium who think they’re better than everyone else. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but I signaled to the linesman that something had happened.”

Kenan Karaman also expressed his displeasure: “It casts a shadow over the whole game. I told the referee straight away that we wouldn’t continue like this if it kept up. I’m glad Christopher reacted that way. I think it’s a shame because the first round of the cup is always a highlight for a team like this.”