The youngster was racially abused several times while the game was ongoing and he had to leave the field together with his teammates
A Germany Liga 3 game between VfL Osnabruck and MSV Duisburg was abandoned last weekend after Ghanaian player Aaron Opoku was racially abused by a fan.
After only 33 minutes into the game, the 22-year-old heard the racial chants from the stands but a supporter and drew the attention of referee Nicolas Winter. Although, he was initially consoled and urged to continue playing the game, the Ghanaian opted to abandoned proceedings and headed down the tunnel as his teammates followed few minutes later.
With some of Opoku’s teammates leaving the field, the referee was left with no option than to march both teams into the dressing room as it became apparent that the racial attacks were not going to stop any moment.
Opoku’s teammates then refused to honour the remaining minutes of the fixture at the MSV Arena in solidarity with the player, leaving the match to be abandoned.
According to British outlet Dailymail, the fan was identified by stadium officials in Duisburg and was ejected from the ground, as the home fans chanted ‘Nazis Out’ as they joined in solidarity with Opoku, 22.
Duisburg’s stadium PA announcer then played the anti-fascist song ‘Schrei nach Liebe’ as they continued in displaying their disgust at what one of their own supporters told the German player, who is of Ghanaian descent.
A VfL spokesperson revealed that Opoku was mentally distraught by the alleged remark but praised Duisburg’s response to the incident.
VfL press officer Sebastian Ruther told Magenta Sport after Sunday’s game was suspended: ‘I only heard it from above, but it quickly became clear what it was all about.
‘It is clear that there were racist remarks and our player Aaron Opoku is mentally quite down. The important thing is that it’s about Aaron. It’s crucial for us that he’s not doing well.
‘There was incredible solidarity in the stadium, also from the Duisburg spectators.’
Osnabruck’s managing director Michael Welling revealed that his team have offered to replay the match and also mentioned Opoku’s poor mental state on Sunday afternoon.
‘The DFB (German Football Association) has to decide with its authorities what is right. We would like to play a replay or something like that.
‘Racism must not be part of our society and also not part of football. Aaron is very, very exhausted and that was also a reason to say that we are no longer players. We just don’t accept that as a club.’
The top hierarchy of MSV has apologizes for the incident, saying that “this is a no-go”. Both sporting directors are in discussion with the referee about how to proceed. Then the decision was made to abandon the game altogether.”
Opoku was born in Germany to Ghanaian parents.
