Racism drama in the 3rd league: Cottbus loses in Munich!

Racism drama in the 3rd league: Cottbus loses in Munich!

Yesterday, Saturday afternoon, there was a game between third division teams 1860 Munich and Energie Cottbus in Munich, which will remain in the headlines not only because of the result, but also because of a frightening incident. 1860 Munich won 3-0, giving the Cottbus team their first defeat after five wins in a row. However, the game took a dark turn when racist hostility towards Cottbus' player Justin Butler overshadowed the proceedings.

In a rather unspectacular first half, Munich had their first significant chance in the 22nd minute. Cottbus, even though they dominated the game, didn't put the ball in the net. The turning point came in the form of a penalty goal from Thore Jacobson that gave the hosts the lead. Shortly before halftime, Jacobson scored again to make it 2-0. In the second 45 minutes, Cottbus hardly had any chances, which ultimately made the result seem clear.

Racist hostility and interruptions

A frightening event occurred in the second half: in the 72nd minute, Justin Butler was insulted by monkey noises from the audience. This led to a break in the game of approximately seven minutes during which heated discussions took place on the field. A fan who made the racist shouts was removed from the stadium, while many spectators showed solidarity with Butler.

The stadium spokesman took responsibility and apologized for the incident on behalf of the club. Coach Claus-Dieter Wollitz expressed incomprehension about the decision to continue the game and actually called for the game to be abandoned. However, according to UEFA regulations, this is the last step in such a context.

Looking at the overall record of the two teams, one could say that Cottbus did not score their own goal for the first time this season, which further mars the performance in the stadium, which was populated by around 15,000 fans. The incident is a reminder that racism in football is a serious problem, which is not only an issue in Germany, but also recurs internationally.

Racism in football – a probability with high relevance

As bpb.de reported, racism is a widespread problem in European football. Associations such as the German Football Association (DFB) have responded with anti-racism campaigns such as “Football time is the best time against racism” to set an example. The focus is on local amateur clubs, as they are often the first point of contact for young migrants and refugees.

The issue remains relevant as players like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior report racist experiences that affect their passion for the sport. These events are more than just isolated incidents and are part of a broader discussion that is urgently needed to promote an inclusive and respectful football culture.

Overall, it can be said that the game between 1860 Munich and Energie Cottbus on November 1, 2025 illuminated not only sporting but also social dimensions that need to be further addressed.

For further details you can read the reporting on rbb24.de and spiegel.de read.