Jerome Boateng recounts pain of racist abuse as a young player to Bayern Munich teammates

The 31-year-old Boateng, who was born in Berlin to a German mother, and father from Ghana, has faced monkey chants in the past at games. “So I could tell them my story, what were my experiences, and why is it so painful and hard to hear those things, or experiences, and then imagine people who are younger, maybe they face this for the first time, what you can do, how can people support it.” The 31-year-old Boateng, who was born in Berlin to a German mother, and father from Ghana, has faced monkey chants in the past at games. “Of course, when it’s a group against one, and there’s nobody near, you never know, but if there’s somebody near, please call police, help, whatever, because that can help and save maybe a dangerous situation.” Bayern players were taking a knee at games before the pandemic-delayed Bundesliga season ended in June. “I think it’s important to continue, and also in other sports, and hopefully in some sports that are not back yet, hopefully they will join us.” Beyond gestures like taking a knee, Boateng hopes for change across German football to ensure there is greater diversity at the top of the game and more Black coaches. “I would wish of course to see that more in Germany,” Boateng said, “because you see it more in the U.K. and different countries.” The brutal police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May sparked worldwide calls for an end to racial injustice and discrimination — a message that has been carried onto football pitches across Europe.