German soccer teams to wear jerseys against hate, racism

BERLIN (AP) - The soccer teams in Germany's third-division will wear special jerseys against hate, racism and discrimination this weekend following the racially motivated gun attack in Hanau and the racist abuse in the league a week before.

The German soccer federation said Friday that nearly all the division's teams, the referees and children accompanying the players onto the field would wear shirts with the motto 'œred card for racism.'ť

There will also be a minute's silence and flowers laid for the victims and families affected by the attack in Hanau, where nine people of foreign background were killed in a rampage by a German gunman.

'œWe stand together against anyone who attacks our values,'ť federation president Fritz Keller said, referring to the fan reaction when one Preußen Münster supporter directed monkey chants at Würzburger Kickers defender Leroy Kwadwo last Friday.

Münster fans shouted 'œNazis out! Nazis out!'ť and forced the perpetrator to leave.

'œThe reaction and unity of the fans and clubs are impressive, both immediately after the shameful episode in Münster and now, when it comes to continuing the fight against racism,'ť Keller said.

The German soccer federation described the fatal attacks in Hanau as 'œan attack on our deepest convictions and thus on ourselves.'ť

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports