ddp images

German men's soccer team exits Olympic tuneup after player alleges racial abuse

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/17/21

Germany's Olympic men's soccer team walked off the field during Saturday's pre-tournament friendly against Honduras in response to one of its players allegedly being racially abused.

German defender Jordan Torunarigha, who is Black, was the alleged target in the match, which ended five minutes early with the score tied 1-1.

Stefan #Kuntz: "When one of our players is racially abused, playing on is not an option."#WirfuerD #GERHON pic.twitter.com/nQBfmZf4To
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) July 17, 2021

The Honduras team called the incident a "misunderstanding."

Torunarigha is one of 19 players representing Germany in the Olympic men's soccer tournament, which begins play on July 22.

The 23-year-old, who plays for Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, also experienced racial abuse in February 2020 when a section of Schalke supporters targeted him with monkey chants. The club was eventually fined €50,000.

Torunarigha has previously represented Germany throughout the age groups from the under-16 level to U21.

The Germans open the Olympics against Brazil before taking on Saudi Arabia and Ivory Coast in Group D action. Germany won the Silver medal at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

More must-reads: