Schroeder Faces Racial Abuse During Eurobasket Game

TAMPERE, FINLAND — German captain Dennis Schroeder encountered racial abuse following his team’s victory over Lithuania, with a score of 107-88 during the Eurobasket tournament on Saturday. FIBA officials responded by banning one fan from further participation in the event.

According to the German Basketball Association, two individuals were identified as alleged abusers and were subsequently removed from the arena in Tampere. FIBA confirmed that footage revealed one fan’s actions, leading to a ban for the remainder of the tournament.

Schroeder expressed his frustration to reporters after the game, stating, “Making monkey noise, that’s something I don’t respect. No matter what position it is, it’s all fine. But racism simply doesn’t belong in sports. That’s not okay.”

FIBA has stated that they will meet with the Lithuanian delegation to discuss the incident. The organization emphasized its condemnation of hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and racist language, asserting the importance of fostering a respectful environment for players, teams, and fans. They are also working with local law enforcement to investigate the matter further.

Schroeder, who noted that he heard the abuse as he entered the locker room at halftime, was visibly upset. German interim head coach Alan Ibrahimagic remarked, “I realized Dennis was very upset, and of course. That kind of thing has no place in sports or competition. I hope this will settle down and resolve in some way.”

In the match, Schroeder led World Cup champion Germany with a game-high 26 points, marking their third victory in the tournament. The team’s path to the 16-round stage in Riga, Latvia, is now secured, regardless of the outcomes of their final two group games in Tampere.

Ibrahimagic has been filling in for the ailing Alex Manbao during this Eurobasket series.