Spectators barred from participating in the German race.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has issued a statement regarding a racism incident that occurred during Germany's EuroBasket game against Lithuania in Tampere, Finland.
According to the statement, Dennis Schröder, the German national team captain, reported racist heckling during the game. The incident took place during halftime, with some Lithuanian fans making monkey noises.
Schröder, who has been vocal about the importance of eliminating racism from sports, expressed his dismay and stated that such behaviour doesn't belong in sports. He further clarified that monkey noises are a line he won't tolerate or accept.
The German Basketball Federation (DBB) and the coaching staff alerted security about the incident, and two individuals were ejected from the arena as a result.
FIBA, in collaboration with the DBB, aims to support efforts to prevent similar incidents in future games. They have provided relevant footage and information to authorities to aid in identifying the suspect responsible for the racist heckling.
The identified individual has been prohibited from attending any further Eurobasket 2022 games, and FIBA plans to contact the Lithuanian team delegation to discuss the matter further.
FIBA President, Schröder stated that racism should not be present in the world, let alone in sports, and reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all players and fans.
The game ended with a 107:88 win for Germany, but the incident cast a shadow over the victory. Despite this, Schröder and the German team remain focused on their journey in the EuroBasket tournament.
The Lithuanian team, upon being informed of the situation by FIBA, released a statement condemning the actions of the fans involved and expressing their commitment to promoting a fair and respectful sporting environment.
