TOKYO: Germany walked off after 85 minutes of Saturday’s pre-Olympics friendly with Honduras after Jordan Torunarigha suffered racist abuse.
The 2016 silver medallists played the Central Americans in Wakayama, Japan, as they warmed up for their Games campaign which starts on July 22 against champions Brazil.
“The game has ended 5 minutes early with the score at 1-1. The Germany players left the pitch after Jordan Torunarigha was racially abused,” the German Football Association (DFB) tweeted.
German head coach Stefan Kuntz defended his 23-year-old squad member.
“When one of our players is racially abused, playing on is not an option,” told DFB’s Twitter account.
The Honduras Football Federation said on Twitter the situation was down to a “misunderstanding on the pitch.”
In February 2020, Hertha Berlin center-back Torunarigha was sent off for reacting to alleged monkey chants from Schalke fans during a German Cup loss.
In that match, Torunarigha, who is of Nigerian descent, picked up a water bottle carrier and slammed it to the ground before being shown a red card for second bookable offense.
Germany walk off Olympics friendly after Torunarigha racist abuse
https://arab.news/vrj6q
Germany walk off Olympics friendly after Torunarigha racist abuse
- Germany players left the pitch after Jordan Torunarigha was racially abused, said German Football Association
- German head coach Stefan Kuntz defended his 23-year-old squad member
UAE National MMA Championship 1 launches new MMA season in Al-Ain
- Mohammed Bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri: The strong preparation by clubs and academies shows how much mixed martial arts has grown in the UAE
- Al-Dhaheri: Teams now take part with clear training plans and ongoing development programs
AL-AIN: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s season-opener, the UAE National MMA Championship 1, is set to take place at the UAE University in Al-Ain from Jan. 10-11.
With hundreds of athletes across various age groups taking part, the championship is part of the Federation’s wider plan to strengthen the long-term development of MMA in the country, building on past achievements and supporting athletes’ technical and mental preparation.
The competition will feature Youth D (10–11 years), Youth C (12–13 years), Youth B (14–15 years), Youth A (16–17 years), and Adults (18 years and above), offering the chance for all age groups to take part.
Mohammed Bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation board member, said: “We want the first championship of the new season to be a strong platform that reflects our strategy, especially in identifying talent, developing athletes and building future champions. We have clear goals for 2026 to develop mixed martial arts further, and this championship is the first step towards achieving them.
“The strong preparation by clubs and academies shows how much mixed martial arts has grown in the UAE. Teams now take part with clear training plans and ongoing development programs. This is reflected in the higher quality of competition, the range of fighting styles and the dedication shown by athletes, which increases the championship’s value and strengthens its role in developing talent.”
