Openly gay German football referee, Pascal Kaiser, attacked after viral on-field proposal to boyfriend

German amateur football referee Pascal Kaiser, whose joyful on‑field proposal to his boyfriend went viral across the world, has been brutally attacked outside his home just days after the moment of celebration.

The 27‑year‑old made headlines in late January when he got down on one knee during the half‑time break of FC Köln’s Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, asking his partner Moritz to marry him in front of 50,000 cheering supporters. The proposal, shared widely on social media by the club, was intended as a public declaration of love and visibility within football - a sport where openly queer male figures remain extremely rare.

But the heart‑warming scene was swiftly followed by a wave of backlash and threats. Kaiser, a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion who came out three years ago, reported to police that he had been receiving intimidating messages, some of which allegedly included his home address.

His lawyer later claimed a local Cologne bar - where Kaiser once worked - had shared his personal details online, though the venue denies this. Despite informing police of the escalating threats, officers reportedly told him there was no immediate danger. 

On Saturday evening, shortly after receiving yet another threatening message warning him he was being watched, Kaiser stepped into his garden for a cigarette. There, he was ambushed by three men who punched him in the face, leaving him with a visible black eye. He was taken to hospital and later moved to a safe location under police protection. The referee posted a photograph of his injuries on Instagram, prompting shock and solidarity across German media and within the LGBTQ+ community.

Speaking to queer media outlet SimiliQueer, Kaiser described the attack as profoundly distressing, saying the publication of his address and the subsequent assault had “affected my sense of security, my mental health, and my daily life”. He said he remains proud of the proposal’s message of visibility but “could never have imagined the chain of events that followed”, nor the level of hostility directed at him. 

Police say the motive for the attack remains unclear, though Germany’s domestic security services are examining whether it was a hate‑motivated assault. LGBTQ+ advocates and clubs have issued strong messages of support, with FC St. Pauli stating: “Because two people love each other, others strike. We stand together against this hatred and want to show that solidarity and humanity are stronger.” The incident has reignited urgent conversations about entrenched homophobia in football, where few male players feel safe to come out publicly.

Kaiser, however, remains resolute. He has long seen visibility as his mission, telling Schwulissimo last year that he wanted to be a voice for those who feel alone in the sport.