Schalke 04 investigates incidents at U19s derby

In the run-up to the Bundesliga match between Schalke and Union Berlin, board member for sports and communication Jochen Schneider and head coach Manuel Baum both took a concrete position on the incident, making it clear that insults of any kind are not tolerated or accepted at Schalke. Even the heightened emotions of derby day do not excuse any such behaviour.

Speaking before the start of the game on Sky, Jochen Schneider stated: “What happened there must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It beggars belief the things that some people in society still think is acceptable. In the wake of this incident, I have been in contact with BVB Managing Director Hans-Joachim Watzke to formally apologise on behalf of FC Schalke 04 to both Youssoufa Moukoko and to Borussia Dortmund.”

Schalke have been closely examining the audio and video captured during the match and are working closely with the fan affairs department to identify the persons responsible.

The club created the #stehtauf (‘stand up’) hashtag over a year ago. It serves as a contact point for people who have become victims of discriminatory, racist and sexist behaviour or violence at FC Schalke 04. Violations of the S04 mission statement and the stadium regulations of the VELTINS-Arena can be reported, and people can be referred to appropriate specialist counselling centres if they wish. In addition to this, incidents are also recorded and evaluated through the #stehtauf contact point.

FC Schalke 04 has been fighting against racism, exclusion and discrimination for several years, both in the stadium and in the club as a whole. Since last season, S04 have used the #stehtauf hashtag to represent this commitment and help to continue this fight.