Welling: Racism is a "problem of society as a whole"

Created: 12/20/2021, 04:31 AM

Michael Welling (l) speaks to the security forces after the racist incident.

© Revierfoto / dpa

The Osnabrück managing director Michael Welling classified the racist incident during the third division game between MSV Duisburg and VfL Osnabrück as a problem for society as a whole and not just football.

Osnabrück - Because the Osnabrück attacker Aaron Opoku was attacked by a Duisburg spectator, a game was interrupted for the first time in the first three German professional leagues because of racism in the 35th minute and shortly afterwards even completely canceled.

“It's important that we don't talk about VfL Osnabrück or MSV Duisburg at this point.

Rather, we need to address this societal problem as a whole and also fight it.

That is why it was so important to set an example here and show solidarity with our player, ”Welling told the club's VfL TV.

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“That is not a location problem.

That could possibly have happened in Osnabrück or at any other location in Germany.

It was therefore important to show that we don't just want to print anti-racism on T-shirts.

It is also important to act if you take it seriously. "

Opoku also received support from numerous other associations in Germany.

Numerous clubs such as Borussia Mönchengladbach, Hertha BSC or FSV Mainz 05 followed a tweet from VfL Osnabrück with the title “Aaron, we stand behind you!”.

“Racism sucks.

Everywhere! ”Wrote Hoffenheim in 1899.

At SV Werder Bremen it was read: “Clear edge against racism!” Dpa