Jewish soccer players attacked in Berlin

Players from TuS Makkabi were reportedly threatened, cursed, and attacked by spectators during a soccer match against DJK Schwarz-Weiß Neukölln, according to international media.

The Jewish players faced assault and intimidation by local Muslim attendees who had watched the Thursday evening game. Reports state that the attackers chased the Jewish youth and brandished knives and clubs.

A representative from DJK Schwarz-Weiß Neukölln confirmed that the main source of the assaults came from the crowd of spectators, while the Makkabi players reportedly endured repeated insults and spitting, according to a father of one of the players who spoke with Tagesspiegel.

He shared that his son also recalled hearing "Free Palestine" shouted multiple times by members of the opposing team, though the referee did not intervene.

A spokesperson from Schwarz-Weiß Neukölln told the newspaper, "If it is confirmed that any of our players participated in antisemitic remarks, they will no longer be part of the club by this evening."

The German Press Agency was initially unable to reach the club for an official statement, and a local police spokesperson reported that they had not been alerted to the incident and thus could not comment on it.