Black Stars coach Otto Addo has voiced deep frustration over the persistence of racism in German football, following multiple incidents of abuse during the opening round of the DFB Pokal.
Ghana international Christopher Antwi-Adjei was subjected to racist chants, including the “N-word,” during Schalke 04’s clash with Lokomotiv Leipzig, forcing the winger to alert the referee. In a separate incident, Kelsey Owusu was targeted with racist abuse on social media after facing Borussia Dortmund, Addo’s former club, following a challenge on midfielder Yan Couto.
The problem extended beyond the Ghanaian duo, as Mainz 05’s Nadiem Amiri also received hate messages after his side’s encounter with Kaiserslautern.
Addo, who actively campaigns against racism through his “Roots – Against Racism in Sport” initiative, has called on the German Football Association (DFB) and German Football League (DFL) to treat the fight against racism as a matter of utmost priority.
“For years, we’ve seen the same pattern: an incident, then downplaying, then silence,” Addo told Kicker. “Racism in football is not an accident or a marginal phenomenon — it is systemic. As long as we talk about individual perpetrators and individual idiots, the system remains untouched. In order to change the system, the DFB and DFL must finally make anti-racism a top priority.”
Born in Germany to Ghanaian parents, Addo spent his entire playing career in the country, representing clubs such as Hamburger SV and Borussia Dortmund. Despite his German heritage, he chose to represent Ghana at international level, and now leads the Black Stars as head coach.
