“It still hurts me” – Tah opens up on racism and ways to combat discrimination

Bayer Leverkusen’s vice-captain spoke with courage and bravery in his latest interview with Sky Sports Germany.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Jonathan Tah gave insights into his experiences in an interview with Sky Germany.

The Leverkusen defender grew up in Hamburg’s Altona district as the son of an Ivorian father and German mother.

He has represented the DFB-Team since he was 16 and despite feeling “100 percent German” the 29-year-old has still been subjected to racism.

Although he enjoyed his formative years in one of the Hanseatic city’s most diverse neighbourhoods, Tah still recalls his first experience of discrimination.

“My worst experience was at a youth soccer game. We had an away game with Hamburger SV.

“Whenever we, the dark-skinned players touched the ball, fans outside made monkey noises. We were 13 or 14 years old. 

The German international didn’t know what to do at such an age, but since then he has found ways to deal with it and confront such acts.

“I talked about it with my mother … and with our then [HSV] U19 coach Otto Addo who had experienced it himself. 

“When something like this happens it’s important to talk about it immediately. [I’ve learned] to share my emotions and feelings.

“It still hurts me. I’m a grown man, a seasoned footballer, and it hurts me to see someone being booed or have monkey noises made to them.

“I believe the more open I am, the more people I can reach and maybe even change their minds [about being racist],” Tah concluded.