DFB to investigate report of racism during Bundesliga match

The German FA will launch an investigation in to a report that Bayer Leverkusen's Nadiem Amiri was the subject of racist abuse against Union Berlin. Union sporting director Oliver Ruhnert denies it happened.

The German Football Association (DFB) says it will open an investigation into a report of racism during the closing stages of Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga defeat to Union Berlin on Friday night.

At full time in Berlin, Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah said in a television interview that his teammate Nadiem Amiri had been racially abused by a Union Berlin player.

Midfielder Amiri, who was born in Ludwigshafen to Afghan refugees and who has made five appearances for the German national team, was reportedly called a "f****** Afghan" by Union defender Florian Hübner.

Amiri released a statement

via Leverkusen's Twitter account, saying: "He came to me in the dressing room. Ugly words were uttered out of emotions, which he is very sorry about. He has given me believable assurance of that, therefore the matter is settled for me."

Union sporting director denies allegations

However, while Union head coach Urs Fischer said "such things have no place on the pitch, therefore it definitely needs investigating" and the club's press officer Christian

Arbeit also apologized, sporting director Oliver Ruhnert denied that Florian Hübner had used the words.

"As far as I know, this expression was not used. I think that too much has been read into it and I don't think we can speak of a racism scandal. In the heat of battle, things can be understood differently to how they were said," said Ruhnert.

"It's difficult to speak of racism with the player in question," he added. "It's well known that his wife is not white, so it's difficult to accuse him of that."

Nevertheless, the DFB says it will start an investigation at the start of next week.

"As a first step, we will write to all those involved and request statements," said Dr. Anton Nachreiner, chair of the DFB's control board. "At the same time, we will evaluate the material we have already."

Responding to the announcement of the investigation, Union Berlin wrote on their official Twitter account: "Regardless of accusations, Union Berlin says 'No to racism' – always and everywhere!"

Union won the game 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Cedric Teuchert.

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with Hradecky, who was this time furiously backpedaling, Teuchert this time had two Leverkusen defenders for company. But the former Schalke forward kept his cool and forced the ball through Hradecky and into the back of the net.

Leverkusen join Dortmund Union coach Urs Fischer decided that Teuchert's work was done and subbed the sub before the restart as he looked to protect a precious lead for the final few minutes. But there was to be no fightback from Leverkusen, whose fleeting title challenge is quickly receding following four games without a win having started the season with a run of 12 games unbeaten.

If it's of any consolation to Leverkusen – and it won't be – they aren't the first big team to come unstuck in this corner of

East Berlin. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have both failed to win at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei in the past month, with Union making it a cauldron – even without their boisterous home support.

However, the night was soured somewhat by Leverkusen midfielder Nadiem Amiri's claims via teammate Jonathan Tah's post-match comments that he suffered racist abuse from a Union player. Germany international Amiri was remonstrating with some Union players at full time following an incident that seemed to occur just after Union had scored.

If Union fans are allowed to return this season they will find a team that has made their stadium a cauldron and a club, that for now at least, finds itself in the Champions League places and just a point behind the team that have become their latest bigname scalp.

Nadiem Amiri (center) has accepted an apology from an opponent