Racism is downplayed in an online article by a Berlin scientist. This not only causes a lot of displeasure in the environment of footballer Jordan Torunarigha and his club Hertha BSC. The text could still have consequences for the author.
Berlin (dpa) - professional footballer Jordan Torunarigha from Hertha BSC fights vigorously against the trivialization of racism. "I rarely read something stupid!" Wrote the 22-year-old from the Berlin Bundesliga club on Twitter and linked a text from the online platform "novo-argumente.com".
In the article by the Berlin scientist Prof. Dr. Among other things, Stefan Chatrath says: "Footballers who play professionally have to endure insults, that is part of it." Hertha BSC not only left this thesis speechless on Twitter a little later: "Without words ..."
Specifically, Chatrath, who is also deputy chairman of the scientific commission of the Berlin State Sports Federation, also described the incidents involving the former junior international at the Bundesliga game at Schalke 04 in the text under the heading "The suffering of the young Torunarigha". There was the native Chemnitz according to their own statements have been racially insulted.
"Yes, that may hurt, but the incidents happened in a football stadium, which means that the opponent is covered with ridicule and malice," Chatrath wrote: "Of course I can’t pretend if someone mimicked monkey noises in the stadium, to insult black players. It's racist, no question. "
The lines now have serious consequences for Chatrath, who was initially unavailable for comment. "We released Mr. Chatrath from all teaching activities with immediate effect," said Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Merkle from the University of Applied Sciences Europe on Tuesday evening of the German Press Agency.
Chatrath had worked there as a course director for sports and event management. "We are an international company ourselves and stand against the background of the topic of plurality and diversity." The statements are intolerable and the university clearly distances itself from them.
The Landessportbund Berlin also wants to advise on the consequences. As announced by the LSB on Wednesday at the dpa request, the Presidium "will decide in his meeting about Mr. Chatrath's whereabouts in the Scientific Commission".
LSB President Thomas Härtel clearly distanced himself from racism: Chatrath's statements were incompatible with the mission statement of the state sports association. This would go against "all forms of discrimination, extremism, violence and abuse" and understand "sport as an invitation to all".
Chatrath's behavior doesn't fit. The professor at the University of Applied Sciences Europe wrote of an "emotional overreaction by Jordan Torunarigha" at the game in Gelsenkirchen at the end of January. Torunarigha is said to be "the only one who heard the insults". And further: "Wouldn't it be possible for Jordan Torunarigha to have interrogated himself?" For Chatrath, everything is basically allowed in sports as long as the opposing player is not physically damaged so much that he has to be replaced ".
Also with Prof. Dr. Wolfang Merkle from the University of Applied Sciences Europe did not get the lines well. "This is not at all in line with our principles and beliefs," said the dean's dean: "We are an international company ourselves and stand against the background of diversity and diversity." He could not tolerate the statements "at all. We distance ourselves completely". A personal interview with Chatrath had not yet taken place, but this should follow.
Chatrath has stood out in the past for his very own view of things. He also suggested that doping should be permitted for all athletes. Athletes "can damage their own bodies, nobody can forbid them, as long as we can assume that they act on their own responsibility," the scientist argued.
Article on Torunarigha
Tweet Torunarigha
Tweet Hertha BSC