Anti-Semitic violence at a football game: Maccabi player attacked!

Anti-Semitic violence at a football game: Maccabi player attacked!

At the amateur football game between TuS Makkabi Köln and Nippes 78 II on September 17, 2025, a frightening incident occurred that shook up the local sports community. During and after the game, Makkabi players were subjected to anti-Semitic insults, spitting on and physical attacks. According to Bild.de, insults such as “shitty Zionists”, “dirty pack of Jews” and “Jewish pig” were used. The cold aggression culminated in two players being spat on while others were choked and had their hair pulled.

Despite the violent attacks, the game ended with a clear 7:2 for Makkabi. Witek Krymalowski, chairman of Makkabi Cologne, expressed shock and emphasized that such incidents were shameful and had not occurred in the last ten years. The public prosecutor's office has already been informed about the incidents. The board of Nippes 78 explained that the allegations may have come from individual players and that they wanted to clarify the matter internally.

Demands for consequences

Alon Meyer, President of Makkabi Germany, calls for decisive action against anti-Semitic incidents and consistent sanctions against the perpetrators. These incidents are linked to a worrying increase in anti-Semitic violence on German sports fields, especially since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, according to [Jüdische Allgemeine](https://www.juedische- Allgemeine.de/politik/antisemitische-ausschreitungen-bei-kreisliga-spiel/).

The criticism is also aimed at the game's referee, whose behavior during the incident is to be examined. Makkabi plans to document these incidents together with the nationwide prevention project “Together1” and take legal action. Experiences from other witnesses should be incorporated into the processing.

An alarming trend

Philipp Peyman Engel, editor-in-chief of the Jüdische Allgemeine, warns of increasing hatred of Jews in Germany, especially if Israel is attacked. The statements from the football ultra scene as well as discriminatory statements represent a serious threat to democratic values. Committed dialogues and encounters are essential elements in the fight against anti-Semitism, as he and other commentators emphasize, reports Deutschlandfunk.

The incidents in Cologne are not just a blatant isolated case, but reflect a worrying trend. Maccabi clubs are not only known for their sporting achievements, but also for people of different religions and origins playing sports together. It remains to be hoped that current events will lead to a rethink and greater solidarity in the fight against hatred of Jews in the sports world.