After the racism incident in Duisburg, ex-national player Cacau also praised the quick reaction of those involved. The former integration officer of the German Football Association (DFB) is opposed to general abandonment of games in the future.
“I’m happy with the way the referee treated the players and how the fans and clubs reacted to the situation. That was exemplary,” said Cacau in an interview with SPOX and GOAL. He himself was made aware of the incident by a friend and was “sad” that “something like this happened again”.
Background: On Sunday afternoon, Osnabrück striker Aaron Opoku is said to have been racially insulted by a 55-year-old football fan in Duisburg while taking a corner ball. The game was then canceled by referee Nicolas Winter in the 33rd minute when the score was 0-0. “I thought it was good that the referee acted in the interests of the victim,” said Cacau.
However, the former Stuttgart striker (346 games / 109 goals) is not in favor of a general abandonment of the game after racist incidents: “This would offer a single person a platform. Their actions would then determine over a thousand other viewers with their action.”
After all, the masses want to see football and “stand together for the sport”. The abandonment of the game in Duisburg, however, was a special situation because “the victim was very affected by it,” says Cacau.
Cacau: “Then I just looked at him and shrugged my shoulders”
However, he rarely experienced racism towards himself during his active time. “I once experienced a situation like this in a cup game, but it didn’t affect me so personally.” Cacau had noticed that it wasn’t the fans, but only a single spectator: “Then I just looked at him and shrugged my shoulders. In the end we won, I scored two goals and that dealt with the issue for me. “
How the abandoned game will be rated remains open for the time being. Duisburg and Osnabrück made a joint declaration on Monday in favor of a rescheduling. “We are convinced that it is necessary in terms of work for tolerance and humanity, […] in the context of a possible replay, together with the DFB, the clubs and the fans, another sign of solidarity and against racism, “it said.
Racism in an amateur game: that’s what Cacau recommends
Despite all the events, according to Cacau, it is important to emphasize “that the absolute majority is for sport and for togetherness.” The approach must continue to be to strengthen the integrative power of football.
This should also apply to popular sport. Should there be a similar racist incident in an amateur game, Cacau recommends: “If something like this happens, you should identify this person, report them to the police and, if possible, ban them from the field.” This is important because there are not cameras everywhere, after all, the volunteers are “also dependent on the help of the audience”.
