Shocking violence and anti-Semitism: attacks on Maccabi players!

Shocking violence and anti-Semitism: attacks on Maccabi players!

At the football match between TuS Makkabi Köln and Nippes 78 II on Sunday, September 17, 2025, shocking incidents occurred that made the public sit up and take notice. Reports from zevener-zeitung.de According to reports, Maccabi players suffered not only insults but also physical attacks. After an impressive 7-2 win, the players were confronted with anti-Semitic comments, plunging the world of football in our city into the shadow of a dark chapter.

The word “shitty Zionists” as well as insults such as “dirty Jew pack” and “Jewish pig” were used during and after the game. Particularly shocking: two Makkabi players were spat on. After the final whistle, there were further attacks, with some players being choked and their hair pulled. A spectator associated with Nippes 78 II brutally punched a Makkabi player in the face while the referee apparently failed to take appropriate measures to de-escalate the situation, which was highlighted in the coverage juedische- Allgemeine.de was also criticized.

Demands for consequences

Cengiz Kirat, department head of Nippes 78 II, vehemently rejected the allegations. He was surprised by the descriptions and emphasized that he had not noticed any indecency during the game. This is in stark contrast to the clear statements made by Makkabi Cologne chairman Witek Krymalowski. He described the incidents as “shocking and shameful” and called for consistent action by the authorities to protect Jewish life.

In a clear reaction, TuS Makkabi Cologne filed a complaint with the Cologne public prosecutor's office and informed both the sports court of the Middle Rhine Football Association and the anti-Semitism commissioner for North Rhine-Westphalia, Sylvia Löhrmann. Makkabi is not only demanding tough consequences for the perpetrators, but is also planning to document the incidents as part of its prevention project “Together1” and take legal action. This shows that they are serious about their concern to resolutely counter anti-Semitic attacks.

A social problem

These incidents shed a bright light on the increasing anti-Semitic violence that has been observed in Germany, especially since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Philipp Peyman Engel, editor-in-chief of the Jüdische Allgemeine, said that hatred of Jews in Germany is increasing, especially in critical times. This is supported by the experiences of athletes such as former competitive swimmer Sarah Poewe, who emphasizes that religious identity should not be an issue in sport and must not lead to discrimination.

Crucially, the majority of Germans do not hold anti-Semitic attitudes, but there is a worrying minority who defend these attitudes. Engel points out that sporting events elsewhere can often be misused for anti-Semitic actions. According to Engel, a step in the right direction is dialogue, which promotes understanding and lays the foundation for respectful cooperation. The incident in Cologne is an urgent appeal to everyone to take a stand against anti-Semitism and to actively defend democratic values ​​without shying away from such attacks.