Race attendance in Germany is now forbidden by the Federation.
In a regrettable turn of events during the Eurobasket 2025 game between Lithuania and Germany, two individuals were removed from the hall in Tampere, Finland, after making monkey noises. The incident, which occurred during halftime of the game, was met with strong condemnation from all quarters, most notably from the German national team captain, Dennis Schröder.
Schröder, who led his team to a 107:88 victory, expressed his disapproval of the racist heckling, stating that such behaviour has no place in sport. He further emphasised that monkey noises are a step too far and that racism has no place in the sport.
In response to the incident, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has taken immediate action. They have provided the relevant footage and information to the authorities and have also contacted the Lithuanian team delegation to inform them about the situation and support efforts to prevent similar incidents in future games.
FIBA has also announced that a suspect has been identified through video footage and has been banned from attending further EM games. However, the organisation has not yet issued any sanctions against the Lithuanian team or its fans for the monkey noises incident.
The German Basketball Association (DBB) has also made a statement, informing that the racist heckling occurred during the game in Tampere, Finland. They stand in solidarity with Schröder and all those who condemn racism in sport.
FIBA, in its commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive sporting environment, will continue to take firm action against any form of discrimination or racist behaviour. The organisation urges all fans to respect the diversity and integrity of the game and to uphold the values of sportsmanship and fair play.
