Leipzig release academy duo after racist remarks directed at Bitshiabu
Ahead of a German footballing weekend that shall feature anti-racist and anti-racist demonstrations in stadiums across the Bundesrepublik, RB Leipzig have announced that two academy players have been released due to racist remarks made towards French center back El Chadaille Bitshiabu.
| Photo: GEPA Pictures/Gabor Krieg |
Massive protests have already taken place over the past 10 days following reports that German far right party "Alternative für Deutchland" (AfD) discussed a deportation plan for non-white German citizens with one of Austria's far-right parties in November.
Ahead of such actions, RB Leipzig announced on Friday that two players in their youth system had been released after making racist comments toward one of their professional players. Germany's "Sport Bild" tabloid reports that this player is French center back El Chadaille Bitshiabu.
"The two made racist comments about fellow players and thus behaved in a highly unsportsmanlike and unacceptable manner," a club statement from academy manager Manuel Baum reads, "After the incidents became known, the sporting management immediately informed them of their dismissal."
RB Leipzig firmly and resolutely opposes racist, anti-constitutional, and xenophobic endeavors," the statement continues, "The fight against racism and xenophobia and the support of the integration of foreign youths in sport and society renders such behavior unacceptable and intolerable."