Germany: Queer referee attacked after viral proposal

German football referee Pascal Kaiser was attacked over the weekend, his lawyer told local media on Monday.

Kaiser was admitted to the hospital due to an assault. He also posted a photo of his bruised face on Instagram.

The attack took place in front of Kaiser’s Cologne home, with three unidentified men attacking him after he had gone out for a cigarette.

READ: Germany apologizes for past military anti-gay discrimination

Kaiser made headlines around the world after proposing to his boyfriend as part of local football club FC Cologne’s Diversity Day, which took place during the club’s Bundesliga game against Wolfsburg.

HE SAID YES! 🌈💍

The moment queer football fan Pascal proposed to his boyfriend before a Bundesliga game.

Pascal Kaiser came out three years ago. He is also an Amateur referee and a huge fan of Bundesliga side Cologne. pic.twitter.com/fx3FdfTIw2

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) February 2, 2026

After his proposal went viral, a local Cologne bar accused Kaiser of fraud while he had worked there, accusations he denied.

Motive still unknown, says police

Now, his lawyer Moritz Lange claimed the bar had made the 27-year-old’s address known. The bar itself denies the accusations.

According to Lange, Kaiser received many threats since his proposal went viral. The German referee informed police of the threats, which then sent a police presence to patrol around Kaiser’s home.

READ: F1 would welcome an openly gay driver, says Sebastian Vettel

“On Saturday evening, as (Kaiser) went for a walk, he received a message: ‘We see you and follow you. Just wait until the police are no longer there’,” lawyer Lange told German media. Not long after the message was received, Lange said, the three men appeared and attacked Kaiser.

Police said the motives for the attack remain unclear, with Germany’s security services being aware of the case and looking into possible homophobic background. /dl