Boateng recounts the pain of racist abuse to Bayern teammates

For weeks Bayern Munich players had been showing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement at games when Jerome Boateng was approached by teammates for a deeper conversation. “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.” WATCH | Bayern players were taking a knee at games before the pandemic-delayed Bundesliga season ended in June. "I think it’s very powerful and very important that we continue this in the Champions League, especially of course in the final because the whole world will look,” Boateng said. “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.