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Homophobic Attack on German Referee After Viral Stadium Proposal Prompts Police Protection

Online doxxing turned threats into violence after police initially deemed there was no immediate danger.

Overview

  • Pascal Kaiser, 27, proposed to his partner on the pitch at FC Köln’s RheinEnergieStadion before the Wolfsburg match, and the video went viral.
  • In the days that followed, his address surfaced on social media alongside explicit threats, which he reported to local police.
  • Roughly 20 minutes after being told there was no immediate danger, three men assaulted him outside his residence, causing a right-eye injury.
  • Police intervened after the attack, opened an investigation to identify the assailants, and placed Kaiser in a safe location under protection.
  • Clubs, players and supporters expressed solidarity, renewing scrutiny of how football and law enforcement handle digital threats against LGBTQ people.