Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has spoken candidly about the persistent problem of racism in German football, urging the country’s governing bodies to move beyond symbolic gestures and take concrete action.
“For years, we’ve seen the same pattern: an incident, then downplaying, then silence,” Addo said. “Racism in football is not an accident or a marginal phenomenon—it is systemic. As long as we talk about individual perpetrators and individual idiots, the system remains untouched.”
Addo, who was born in Germany to Ghanaian parents and played much of his professional career in the Bundesliga, emphasized that the fight against discrimination requires institutional accountability.
“In order to change the system, the DFB and DFL must finally make anti-racism a top priority,” he insisted.
The former Borussia Dortmund player’s comments come at a time when German football continues to grapple with repeated racist incidents in stadiums and online. Despite campaigns and slogans, critics argue that the responses from football authorities remain inconsistent and lack the weight needed to create lasting change.
Addo’s words add to a growing chorus of voices—players, coaches, and activists—demanding that German football go beyond punitive fines or symbolic “No to Racism” banners, and instead put in place systemic safeguards, tougher sanctions, and meaningful education.
For the Black Stars boss, the issue is clear: “If we want real progress, we must stop treating racism as an isolated mistake and recognize it as a structural problem. Only then can football truly become the inclusive game it claims to be.”
