German Under-21 stars, Yousoupha Moukoko and Jessic Ngankam, both of Cameroon origins have been subject to derogatory racial abuse by German fans on social media after they both missed penalties for the selection.
Germany was held in a frustrating draw against Israel in the U-21 European Championship despite having won two penalties, and a chance to take all three points from the encounter.
Disappointed fans took to social media to vent their frustrations on the two young players, resorting to racial slurs to express their discontents. Reacting to the attacks, Yousoupha Moukoko disappointedly told the press that it was not the first time this was happening.
Moukoko said via KICKER “When we win, we are all Germans, if we lose, we are black people, and then the monkey comments come… Things like this just don’t belong in football. It’s disgusting.”
The German football family rallied around Youssoufa Moukoko and Jessic Ngankam after the game, and condemned the racist abuse the duo were subjected to. Germany U-21s head coach Antonio di Salvo also said that he was shocked and disappointed by the news, and added that people who racially abuse players on social media should be punished.
“I think it’s unacceptable for people to make anonymous comments on the internet and racially abuse our boys. These are boys who love playing for Germany, who are Germans, who give everything for their country. Therefore, I’m personally shocked and disappointed. Any kind of discrimination and racism is the lowest of the low.” He said.
