This paper analyzes three domains of German soccer and their role within debates about multiculturalism and race: The vernacular culture as intersection of fan culture and racism highlighted by attacks from the political right; the culture industry`s investigation into the alleged false identity of Bakery Jatta; and soccer`s occupational culture with a focus on racial abuse and denial within both playing and coaching arenas. The contrast of these three discourses reveals that German soccer at once presents itself as a harmonious multicultural microcosm while failing to grasp enduring challenges of racism. But it suggests also that despite claims of a failure of multiculturalism, German soccer may in fact be at the fore of showing German multiculturalism as an irrevocable, if highly contested reality.
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