Charges for hate speech at German football match
A scandalous incident occurred at a third-tier Bundesliga match in Germany. During the minute of silence before the match between Rot-Weiss Essen and Stuttgart 2, a fan shouted, "Germany for Germans." The man was booed by the crowd, and media reports indicate he was detained by the police.
Germany is in shock following the terrorist attack in Magdeburg. Five people died, and more than 200 were injured after a car driven by a man ploughed into the crowd gathered at a Christmas market.
The perpetrator turned out to be a 50-year-old from Saudi Arabia. According to German media, the man has "anti-Islamic" and "anti-immigrant" views and openly supports the far-right Alternative for Germany.
The memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Magdeburg was honoured throughout Germany, including on football pitches. Weekend matches began with a minute of silence. However, before the match between the third league teams Rot-Weiss Essen and Stuttgart 2 (this took place on Sunday, 22nd December at 15:00 GMT), a scandal occurred.
Scandal during the minute of silence. Fan booed
While players and fans were paying tribute to the victims of the attack, one fan shouted, "Germany for Germans." The audience's reaction was immediate. Fans began chanting "No to Nazism!" and then booed the man. A recording of the incident appeared online.
This is not the end of the matter. "Kicker" reports that the man who tried to disrupt the minute of silence will face legal consequences for his actions. The police have taken up his case.
German media inform that the perpetrator was detained by officers right after the match ended. He now faces criminal consequences for promoting Nazism and for using hate speech.
