Black German footballer may quit over racism 02/10/2006 00:00

2 October 2006

HAMBURG - Schalke 04 striker Gerald Asamoah is refusing to rule out retiring from the German national team because of the racist abuse he receives on the pitch from fans and in his private life.

"Is there any point playing for Germany (in such a situation)?" Asamoah, who is currently recovering from a broken leg sustained in his side's UEFA Cup defeat at French club Nancy on Thursday, asked in an interview published Monday in Kicker magazine.

"That's the question, a very serious one."

Ghanaian-born Asamoah was the victim of sustained racist abuse during Schalke's German cup match against the amateur team Hansa Rostock last month.

The German Football Federation's (DFB) sports court fined Rostock 20,000 euros (about 25,000 dollars) following the abuse.

"The moment when it registered in my head was appalling. For a few seconds, I was totally blank. It caused unbelievable distress," said Asamoah of the Rostock incident.

"The worst part is that my wife is also on the receiving end - my family. It's shown on television."

Asamoah also revealed that his friends and family had been victims of exclusion and assaults. For example, his wife and a cousin were verbally abused at a market.

"The monkey chants have led to the situation where some people in Africa now have the same impression as they did before (the success of) the 2006 World Cup," said Asamoah.

"The idiots have managed to achieve this."

DPA

Subject: German news