Ghanaian forward Christopher Antwi-Adjei has expressed deep disappointment after being subjected to racist abuse during Schalke 04’s DFB-Pokal first-round clash against FC Lokomotive Leipzig on Sunday.
The incident unfolded in the 13th minute when Antwi-Adjei approached the touchline to take a throw-in and was targeted with racist insults from a section of the home crowd. The Schalke midfielder immediately raised the matter with the officials, prompting the referee to halt the game so that an announcement could be made inside the stadium.
Instead of showing solidarity, sections of the Leipzig supporters reacted negatively, booing Antwi-Adjei every time he touched the ball until the final whistle. The hostile response left the Ghanaian international both shocked and disappointed.
Speaking to Bild after the match, Antwi-Adjei described the experience as unacceptable and hurtful.
“I didn’t hear any nice words. They were racist insults, which have no place here at any time. ‘Fucking nigger’ was called. I stayed cool, calm, and signalled to the linesman what had happened.
“You don’t have to tolerate everything, especially when you’re on the football pitch and representing your club. That has no place here. It’s very disappointing. We’ve advanced. That’s what counts, or rather, should count,” he said.
German media reports confirm that the incident has been formally reported to the police, who have since launched investigations to identify and punish the perpetrator.
