Hamburg midfielder Immanuel Pherai speaks on 'worst match of my career' for Suriname after racism reported in Guatemala
Hamburg midfielder Immanuel Pherai spoke after featuring in a CONCACAF Nations League match in Guatemala in which his Suriname team reported extensive racist abuse.
Speaking to Hamburg's club website, Pherai detailed some inconveniences after arriving in Guatemala, which were soon overshadowed as the encounter was about to start, saying: "The booing and heckling during our national anthem crossed the line into unsporting and disrespectful behaviour. Then, as soon as the match kicked off, it felt like 25,000 people were shouting 'Negro, Negro, Negro'."
He described how the situation deteriorated following a red card for his Suriname team-mate Richonell Margaret: "Then there was all sorts of abuse directed at him: insults, bottles being thrown, monkey noises.
"We could not and would not accept that as his teammates. We went over to the referee and told him that it was not okay."
He added: "I have never experienced anything like it before. Considering the circumstances, it was the worst match of my career so far."
CONCACAF said it is investigating alleged discriminatory conduct by fans after a complaint from the Surinamese Football Association.
A mass brawl erupted after the final whistle, with Guatemala winning the encounter 1-0. Pherai said: "Of course, in a situation like that, you always have to think twice about your behaviour when emotions are running high. We could all have handled ourselves better, but I would never accept my teammates being attacked."
Amsterdam-born Pherai, who developed in the youth ranks of Borussia Dortmund, is yet to appear for Hamburg in the 2026/27 Bundesliga season after spending the second half of last term helping Elversberg seal promotion during a loan spell.
