Halle (Saxony-Anhalt), Germany: Antisemitism in soccer

On March 29, spectators at a match between Hallescher FC and Carl Zeiss Jena in the fourth division (Oberliga) of the German soccer league roared antisemitic songs.

In the second half of the game, Hallescher FC supporters began to roar “Juden Jena” (“Jews Jena”) in order to insult the players and supporters of Carl Zeiss Jena. The referee did not react to the spectators’ abuse. In response to the antisemitic slogans, the sports court of the Northeast German Soccer Association (Nordostdeutscher Fußball-Verband) decided to penalize Hallescher FC three points in the table of the fourth German league. Additionally, Hallescher FC was sentenced to pay 500 € and 1/5 of the procedural costs. Moreover, only 1000 spectators were allowed to watch the match between Hallescher FC (HFC) and Meuselwitz on April 13. Ralph Kühne, a board member of the HFC, denied that the supporters shouted antisemitc slogans.

Source: Spiegel Online, 04-01-2008 and Tageszeitung, 04-12-2008

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