Players from the youth under-17 soccer team TuS Makkabi in Berlin were reportedly chased and violently assaulted on Thursday evening after their match against DJK Schwarz-Weiß Neukölln, as conveyed by multiple international media outlets.
The group allegedly faced a hostile crowd armed with sticks and knives, as highlighted by the German news site Tagesspiegel.
According to the father of one of the players, members of the opposing team shouted “Free Palestine” at the Jewish players during the chaotic scene. The children were also reportedly subjected to repeated spitting, and the father expressed disappointment that the referee failed to take necessary action to protect the young athletes.
In response to the incident, Schwarz-Weiß Neukölln pledged to expel any youth involved, with a spokesperson stating, “Incidents like this don’t belong on soccer pitches – and certainly not on ours,” as reported by The Telegraph.
Alon Meyer, president of Makkabi Germany, confirmed to the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper that witnesses corroborated the events, noting, “threats, including chasing people with knives, undoubtedly took place.”
Berlin Interior Senator Iris Spranger swiftly condemned these violent attacks, according to the German press agency DPA International.
“Just recently, there were attacks on players from the sports club TuS Makkabi Berlin. These acts show that antisemitic violence and discrimination have not disappeared in our city either,” Spranger conveyed on Saturday, highlighting the ongoing struggle against such prejudices.
The Staatsschutz hate crime police unit is currently investigating the incident to ensure accountability for the troubling events.
Antisemitism in soccer
The club members have reportedly endured similar abuse over the past month, as noted by the Telegraph. Notably, a fan proudly sporting the team’s scarf was assaulted in a cafe, punched in the face after he was asked if he was Jewish.
In a broader reaction to the rising violence, Dutch authorities took the precautionary step of banning public demonstrations for three days. However, tensions escalated once again on Monday night when pro-Palestinian protesters launched fireworks at trams in Amsterdam, illustrating the volatility of the situation.
**Interview with David Cohen, Father of a TuS Makkabi Player**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, David. Can you provide us with your perspective on the events that unfolded after the match on Thursday evening?
**David Cohen:** Thank you for having me. It was a deeply traumatic experience for all those involved. My son and his teammates were not just playing a game; they were subjected to a horrifying and violent assault after the final whistle.
**Editor:** Can you describe what happened during this attack and the atmosphere leading up to it?
**David Cohen:** It all happened so quickly. After the game, a large group from the opposing side descended upon the players. They were armed with sticks and knives, and there was a palpable sense of aggression. It was clear that this was more than just sportsmanship; it was a targeted attack fueled by hostility towards my son and the other Jewish players.
**Editor:** That sounds incredibly frightening. We’ve seen reports that some members of the opposing team shouted political slogans during this attack. What can you tell us about this?
**David Cohen:** Yes, it was shocking. Some of the attackers shouted “Free Palestine” at the children. This kind of rhetoric took a game meant for youth and turned it into a platform for hateful and divisive political statements. It’s unacceptable, especially directed at minors who were just there to play soccer.
**Editor:** How do you think such incidents can be addressed in youth sports to ensure safety for all players?
**David Cohen:** There needs to be a zero-tolerance policy for violence and discrimination in sports. I believe clubs and organizations should implement educational programs that promote diversity and inclusion, and stricter security measures during games to protect players. We cannot allow such hatred to infiltrate what should be a space for unity and teamwork.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, David. We hope that such incidents will lead to meaningful changes in the way youth sports are managed.
**David Cohen:** Thank you for covering this important issue. It’s crucial that we continue to speak out against violence and discrimination in all forms.
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