Following the recent incident at the Nations League match against England, the DFB has spoken out against any form of racism. The association has initiated criminal and association law investigation proceedings against the alleged perpetrator.

The German Football Association has condemned a racist incident in the stands at the Nations League match against England “in the strongest possible terms”. The DFB also announced on Thursday that criminal and association investigations have been launched against the alleged perpetrator.

DFB against any form of racism, discrimination and violence

“Football is diverse – just like the whole of society. Football serves as a role model and has the power to support processes of social change. The DFB therefore advocates that a climate of respect and humanity is a matter of course in football,” the DFB statement said. “The DFB is clearly against any form of racism, discrimination and violence.”

The racist incident had occurred towards the end of the match (1-1) in Munich last Tuesday. As reported by the “Tagesspiegel” on Thursday, a spectator is said to have first shouted a racist insult in the direction of the English professional Jude Bellingham as he lay on the pitch. When another spectator asked him to stop shouting insults, he too was allegedly insulted and then even punched in the face. Afterwards, stewards took the man who had been beaten out of the block.

Discrimination has no place in football

“During the match at the Allianz Arena in Munich, a spectator at the match was racially insulted and physically attacked,” the DFB said, without giving details. “Discrimination in the form of insults, discrimination or exclusion must have no place in football.”

The DFB also explicitly pointed out that in the event of such or other discriminatory incidents, stadium security staff should be contacted. In addition, the DFB offers a fan telephone on international match days at home and abroad, which can be used to request any form of assistance.