German fans single out 'racist'

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A football spectator who fellow fans alleged shouted racist insults at a black player during a German first division match faces a life ban.

Fans of home team Energie Cottbus told police a man was insulting their Cameroon striker Francis Kioyo in Saturday's match against Bochum.

Energie Cottbus said it would take legal steps against the spectator and praised the fans who reported him.

Cottbus is in an economically depressed area near the Polish border.

Correspondents say racist chanting and violence at matches there are commonplace.

Hansa fine

Saturday's game finished 0-0 in front of 11,650 fans.

The German football authorities have fined several clubs for failing to control fans and have warned of possible point deductions.

Hansa Rostock were fined $25,000 (£12,700) last year after fans racially abused Schalke's Ghana-born striker Gerald Asamoah.

Last year under-21 German international player Aaron Hunt was banned for two games for "gross unsporting conduct" after two England players said they were racially abused. Uefa later overturned the decision.