WEB: German Bombers Football Chant is Not a Criminal Offence in Gelsenkirchen

A German court has ruled that singing the football chant 'Ten German Bombers' is not a criminal offense. The song, which was originally sung by British schoolchildren during World War II, has been adopted by some football fans in Germany.

The ruling came after a fan was charged with incitement to hatred for singing the chant at a match in Gelsenkirchen. However, the court found that the chant did not meet the criteria for incitement, as it was not intended to incite violence or hatred against any particular group of people.

The court's decision has been welcomed by some, who argue that the chant is a harmless expression of rivalry between football teams. However, others have criticized the ruling, saying that it sends the wrong message about hate speech.

The debate over the chant is likely to continue, as it raises important questions about freedom of speech and the limits of what is acceptable in public discourse.