German third-tier football club fined for fans' sexism to referee
Rot-Weiss Essen fans wave their scarves and flags in the stands during the German 3rd division soccer match between Rot-Weiss Essen and Hansa Rostock at Hafenstrasse stadium. Essen have been fined €20,000 for sexist remarks made by fans towards female referee Fabienne Michel. Christoph Reichwein/dpa
German third-division club Rot-Weiss Essen have been fined €20,000 (about $22,000) for sexist remarks made by fans towards female referee Fabienne Michel, the country's football federation (DFB) said on Thursday.
The case related to the third-division match between Verl and Rot-Weiss Essen on March 28.
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During the second half there were "repeated offensive and discriminatory chants and shouts directed at referee Fabienne Michel" from the Essen spectator area, the DFB said in a statement.
"She has now also filed a civil complaint," the DFB added.
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