3rd league – after termination due to racism: Duisburg-Osnabrück will be repeated

The third division game between MSV Duisburg and VfL Osnabrück, which was canceled due to a racist insult, will be repeated, but should not become a precedent.

The DFB decided on the rescheduling on Thursday after a request from both clubs.

It was the first game abandoned due to racism in German professional football. A catch-up date has not yet been set.

VfL player Aaron Opoku was “severely racially insulted” from the stands on Sunday.

“The incident is a non-standardized special case, which, regardless of any fault of the clubs involved, justifies repeating the game in the opinion of the sports court,” said Stephan Oberholz, the deputy chairman of the DFB sports court: “We hold the decision emotionally and morally of VfL Osnabrück not to continue the game is understandable. The intention to set an example against racism also has our express support. “

DFB: Games should not be canceled across the board

However, stated Oberholz, “it must remain clear that the referee alone has the right to abandon the game. We also expressly point out that in future, comparable cases of abandonment of the game with regard to the game evaluation, the intensity of the offense, the perpetrator profile, the time and the The score must be looked at more closely. “

Both teams as well as referee Nicolas Winter and his team left the field on Sunday. After a short period of reflection, VfL was unable to continue playing. The game was then canceled. Both clubs described the DFB’s decision as “appropriate”.

The Duisburg police filed a complaint against a 55-year-old who admitted the insult. However, he meant another player.