A German football fan with an English girlfriend was racially abused and physically beaten after he challenged a supporter who had called Jude Bellingham a "n*****" during Tuesday evening's UEFA Nations League game in Munich.
Annabel Hayden, from Cheshire, said that her boyfriend Tim, from Stuttgart, was punched and called the N-word "at least 15 times" after challenging a man who shouted "Get up, you n*****" at Bellingham when the Borussia Dortmund midfielder was down injured in the 92nd minute.
Video footage, taken by another supporter and seen by the Mirror, shows the attacker calling Tim a "n***** pig" in the South Stand at Allianz Arena.
"He was punched just below the eye but he was not bothered by that afterwards," Ms Hayden said. "He's ok but more bothered by the mental aspect of it. It was completely horrific, the physical abuse was at the bottom of the list."
Ms Hayden said that the accused told her partner, who is mixed race, that he "belonged in the gas chamber, you should be gassed" and to "go back to your country.” They were both upset that other Germany supporters did not intervene, until one fan shared the aforementioned video clip afterwards.
Ms Hayden added: "Three stewards came but the N-word was said at least 15 times before anyone interjected," she added. "I was pushed out of the way and the attacker wasn't touched by a steward. Three of them escorted us upstairs to a concourse area."
After the game the accused then found the pair, who were still with the stewards, and more words were exchanged before police arrived and arrested him.
German police have confirmed that they arrested a 27-year-old from Gotha following the incident and he is being investigated for "assault and possible incitement to hatred". Ms Hayden said that she was informed by the German FA that the man has been immediately given a 12-month ban from attending any football match.
"The German Football Association (DFB) has strongly condemned a racist incident during Tuesday's UEFA Nations League game against England," a statement said. "During the game in Munich's Allianz Arena, a spectator was racially insulted and physically attacked. Criminal and association law investigations have been initiated against the alleged criminal."
Before the game Germany joined England in taking the knee to raise awareness around the fight for racial equality. England manager Gareth Southgate said: “We’re two nations with huge numbers of mixed-heritage nationals and I think it’s an important sign for everybody, so we welcome that.”
