DFB punishes racism against FCK professional in DFB Cup

FCK easily defeated underdog RSV Eintracht 7-0 in the first round of the DFB Cup. Picture alliance/dpa

1. FC Kaiserslautern's commanding 7-0 victory in the first round of the DFB Cup against top-flight club RSV Eintracht 1949 on August 17th had been overshadowed in the aftermath. In the second half, a scandal erupted when a spectator racially abused an FCK player . Thanks to the swift intervention of other stadium visitors in the 7,449-capacity Karl Liebknecht Stadium in Potsdam, the perpetrator was identified. However, RSV Eintracht was forced to face a penalty from the DFB.

On Tuesday, approximately two months later, the sports court fined the club €7,500. RSV Eintracht had not agreed to a €10,000 fine, which the control committee had initially requested – arguing, among other things, that the perpetrator came from a neutral block and was most likely not a club member.

However, according to the sports court, the "racist and degrading" statement violated the DFB's code of values, was attributable to RSV Eintracht, and should be punished accordingly. According to the ruling, the top-flight club benefited from the fact that the club "strongly condemned and distanced itself" from the incident, identified the possible perpetrator, handed him over to the police, and announced that it would issue a stadium ban.

The sports court explicitly states that the imposed fine "can and should be passed on to the actual perpetrator(s)" if possible. Furthermore, RSV Eintracht can use €2,500 of the €7,500 for its own preventive measures against racism and discrimination, which would have to be proven to the DFB by May 31, 2026.

It was not yet clear whether the club would accept the ruling. An appeal against the single judge's decision can be filed with the sports court within 24 hours.