Hertha Berlin U16 team walks off pitch after players 'racially abused' by opponents
The incident comes just weeks after one of the club's players was targeted with monkey chants and called an "ape" by an opponent.
Sunday 15 December 2019 07:52, UK
Hertha Berlin's under-16 team has walked off the pitch during a game after its players were allegedly racially abused by opposition players.
The German club's officials informed the referee of the alleged abuse and decided to stop playing in the 68th minute while leading 2-0 against regional rivals Auerbach.
The Bundesliga club says in a statement on its website that it took the decision "because we as Hertha BSC condemn racism and discrimination in every form".
On Twitter, the club said: "There are times when football doesn't come first. Racism has no place in our society."
Executive board member Paul Keuter called it "the only correct decision, not to continue with the game".
Hertha under-23 player Jessic Ngankam said he was targeted with monkey chants and called an "ape" by an opposing player during his side's fourth division game against Lokomotive Leipzig on 6 December.
"Insults are unfortunately an everyday occurrence in football, and I can put up with them. But racist abuse is a no-go," the 19-year-old said.
Both Hertha and Lokomotive condemned the alleged abuse.