It was only a few weeks ago that the television documentary “Black Eagles” drew an unadorned look at racism in German professional football.

Above all, it was about what national players with dark skin had to and must experience.

In addition to prominent kickers such as Jimmy Hartwig and Gerald Asamoah, a young player whose experiences were particularly fresh and therefore disturbing also had a say.

Pirmin Clossé

Sports editor.

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Jordan Torunarigha, U21 national player and in the Bundesliga for Hertha BSC on the ball, talked about his experiences in February 2020 during a DFB Cup game at Schalke 04. He was greeted with monkey noises from the stands. "I thought I wasn't hearing right," he said. “I couldn't think normally anymore. Angry, sad, all at once, that was all too much. ”The game ended with a yellow-red card for him. Schalke was fined 50,000 euros by the DFB.

Another football match ended early for Torunarigha on Saturday. And again it was about racism. The 23-year-old is currently preparing for the Olympic Games with the German selection. In a test match they played against Honduras in the Japanese town of Wakayama. Three times 30 minutes should be played in camera, both coaches wanted to change and try out a lot before the tournament started this Thursday. But the test match ended with a scandal. Shortly before the end, the German team left the pitch with a score of 1: 1. The reason: Torunarigha stated that he was repeatedly racially insulted by the opponent.

"He was really very relaxed," reported his trainer Stefan Kuntz afterwards. The team then decided to set an example. "I think that's a statement that we always have to make when something like this happens," commented Max Kruse on the campaign via Instagram. “Regardless of whether it is in the first or the 90th minute, we just always have to do that because racism simply has no place in football.” Maximilian Arnold, the captain of the Olympic selection, spoke of a “correct statement. We made the right decisions and acted, ”he said.

Coach Stefan Kuntz also praised his team.

It was "very, very good behavior", he said and called the insults against Torunarigha "sad and pathetic".

The team then discussed whether the matter should be investigated further.

Ultimately, the decision was made against it, especially since the entire Honduras squad apologized on the pitch.

"It was also Jordan's will that said we wanted to let it go," explained Arnold.

But that was not the end of the matter.

The allegations are too serious, the subject is too serious.

Is it all just a misunderstanding?

The Honduran Association responded with a notice denying the allegations. It referred to, among other things, the "multi-ethnic" and "inclusive" character of the country of Honduras. After all, there are also many dark-skinned players in the Latin American squad. The team would "show solidarity with movements that promote equality and racial equality," it said. The incidents on Saturday were therefore based on an "unfortunate misunderstanding".

This explanation reminded Stefan Kuntz of his school days. "I don't know how you felt when you came home with a six," he said pointedly at a digital press conference on Saturday. "I always said to my mother: There was a misunderstanding between the teacher and me." In this respect, he leaves the statements of the Honduran Association "ideally uncommented".

The DFB, it is as obvious as it is understandable, sticks to the portrayal of its player. It is unclear what exactly the Honduran players are supposed to have said about Torunarigha. Players and coaches have not yet provided any information in this regard. Attempts to obtain information from associations and officials also come to nothing. It cannot be used to assess whether it was actually a question of racist insults. However, racism remains a topic in football.