Racism is an ongoing issue all over the world, which is sad to even be typing in 2016, and when two black players from a German eighth-division soccer league were insulted and physically harmed by locals, their entire team wanted to take a stand.
That’s what Deinster SV did—although, it comes across in a strange way, because the entire team picture was photoshopped with players in “blackface.”
The team posted this message on its Facebook page, which has actually received more positive feedback than negative, per Deadspin:
Our friend and fellow player Emad was on Saturday, on racial grounds, insulted and beaten. This is just sad!
Violence against refugees is pathetic!!
Emad and Amar – you are one of ours, just like anyone else from Deinster Sports Club, and we are pleased that you are with us!!!
Head coach Soenke Kreibich had this to add, per BBC, saying:
“We wanted to make a stand, amongst ourselves but also to the public,” he tells the Jetzt website. “It should make it clear that Emad and Amar are an inherent part of our team, and not a minority on whom you can use violence to let off your personal frustration.”
I totally understand the mission of the team here, but maybe a different angle would have been a bit more appropriate, no? I’ll applaud Deinster’s efforts, though—and, hopefully, it makes a difference.