Search for perpetrators underway: FSV Zwickau condemns racism incident

FSV Zwickau has condemned the incidents of racism in the match against Rot-Weiß Erfurt and initiated measures to investigate the perpetrator. "It pisses us off that something like this happens - and also the associated powerlessness. Soccer can be emotional and sometimes rough, but there are limits. Racism is not an insult, but an unacceptable attack on people's dignity," said managing director André Beuchold in a statement from the club.

The club wants to "unite and not exclude. To do this, we need a clear stance - on the pitch and in the stands". Civil courage and a shared understanding of the limits of what can be said are crucial to ensure respectful coexistence, the statement continued. In this context, FSV is in favor of a common code of conduct in the stadium.

Images of the alleged perpetrator

Initial measures were initiated immediately after the end of the match. Video footage was viewed in collaboration with the player concerned, Raphael Assibey-Mensah. According to the club, images of a suspected perpetrator are available. The incident was reported to the police and handed over to the relevant authorities.

After the match, the Erfurt player Assibey-Mensah reported hostility towards his team-mate Benny Boboy and himself. "Benny fouled a player and a man from the fan block shouted 'Africans out! I confronted him directly, but he kept shouting," said Assibey-Mensah. Referee Johannes Schipke interrupted the game for just over five minutes after Assibey-Mensah's comment.

The regional league club from western Saxony apologized to the Thuringians for the incident. "Our solidarity goes out to the players affected. We sincerely apologize for the incidents - especially to the players and to FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt".