German 3rd division match abandoned after racist abuse from fan

A German third-division match between Duisburg and Osnabrueck was abandoned on Sunday after a supporter racially abused a visiting player, reported dpa.

Referee Nicolas Winter had initially suspended the game after Osnabrueck said Aaron Opoku was insulted from the stands and the match was later abandoned. A 55-year-old man has been charged by police.

"Osnabrueck - and this is more than understandable - can no longer play, the boy is distraught, the whole team is finished, honestly we also feel like that after this inconceivable incident," Duisburg spokesman Martin Haltermann told Magenta TV.

"At the moment, we are all pretty speechless."

The spokesman said the fan was identified by other supporters and was removed from the stadium before his arrest.

Osnabrueck tweeted: "Unbelievable. Aaron, we are are with you. Nazis out."

The Bild newspaper reported that this was the first time a German professional football match had been abandoned due to racism.

The German Football Federation said in a statement that investigations were under way. A decision on what happens with the match will be made at a later date.