Schalke’s Antwi-Adjei Faces Verified Racial Abuse in German Cup Match

During a German Cup match between Schalke 04 and Lokomotiv Leipzig, Schalke midfielder Christopher Antwi-Adjei was subjected to racist abuse from Lokomotiv supporters, which led to a temporary halt in the game when Antwi-Adjei reported the incident to the referee. Despite the referee and stadium announcer urging fans to stop discriminatory behavior, Antwi-Adjei was repeatedly booed and whistled at whenever he touched the ball. Schalke's sporting director and captain condemned the abuse, emphasizing the club's strong stance against racism and support for Antwi-Adjei, while Lokomotiv's spokesman stated no direct evidence of abusive remarks was confirmed by officials or nearby staff. Antwi-Adjei expressed disappointment over the incident and hopes the perpetrator reflects on their actions, with the player having reported the matter to the police. The incident sparked wider conversations about systemic problems with fan conduct and racism in football, highlighted by similar occurrences during other matches in the same competition. Schalke ultimately won the match 1-0 in extra time, underscoring the stark competitive difference between the second-division Schalke and fourth-tier Lokomotiv Leipzig.