Did you know? Referee Pascal Kaiser proposed to his boyfriend during a Bundesliga match, a moment captured by thousands of fans and broadcast across Germany.
Cologne, Germany – February 2, 2026 – A touching moment of love at a Bundesliga match has been overshadowed by a disturbing act of violence against the referee involved. Pascal Kaiser, an amateur referee, proposed to his boyfriend, Moritz, on the pitch at RheinEnergieStadion during a game between Cologne and Stuttgart at the end of January, a scene that quickly went viral.
A Public Declaration Met With Private Hostility
The heartwarming scene – Kaiser kissing Moritz in front of tens of thousands of spectators – quickly spread across social media, celebrated as a powerful symbol of acceptance. However, according to French newspaper L’Équipe, this public display of affection was met with a disturbing backlash. Kaiser had previously used social media to advocate against homophobia, and it appears this activism made him a target.
Just a week after the proposal, Kaiser’s Instagram account was set to private, effectively shielding it from public view. But the online hostility escalated into a physical attack.
Brutal Attack Following Threats
The sad climax came on the night of Saturday, February 1st, when Kaiser was brutally attacked by three men in his garden after receiving threats. He shared a photograph with L’Équipe showing a visibly swollen eye, and believes the attack is directly linked to his public proposal.
- Referee Pascal Kaiser proposed to his boyfriend during a Bundesliga match.
- The public display of affection was followed by online threats and hostility.
- Kaiser was physically attacked by three men shortly after the proposal.
- German politicians have condemned the attack and called for increased protection.
Nyke Slawik, queer political spokesperson for the Green Party in the Bundestag, reacted with horror to the news. “It’s bad that the police didn’t take threats seriously,” she wrote on Instagram, referencing Kaiser’s allegations. “No person should be a target because of their identity.”
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
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about homophobia in German football and the need for greater protection of LGBTQ+ individuals. The investigation into the attack is ongoing.
