Adebowale Ogungbure Explained

Adebowale Ogungbure
Height:1.84 m
Birth Date:13 July 1981
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Vissai Ninh Bình
Youthclubs1:Nigerdock Lagos
Youthclubs2:NEPA Lagos
Youthclubs3:ASACO Cotonou
Years1:1998–2000
Clubs1:1. FC Nürnberg II
Years2:2000–2001
Clubs2:1. FC Nürnberg
Caps2:12
Goals2:0
Years3:2002–2003
Clubs3:SSV Reutlingen
Caps3:32
Goals3:3
Years4:2003–2005
Clubs4:Energie Cottbus
Caps4:36
Goals4:0
Years5:2005–2007
Clubs5:FC Sachsen Leipzig
Caps5:43
Goals5:0
Years6:2007–2008
Clubs6:Kickers Offenbach
Caps6:15
Goals6:0
Years7:2011
Clubs7:Vissai Ninh Bình
Caps7:22
Goals7:2
Totalcaps:160
Totalgoals:5

Adebowale Ogungbure (born 13 July 1981) is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He previously played for one season in the Bundesliga with 1. FC Nürnberg.

On 25 March 2006, in a match between FC Sachsen Leipzig and Hallescher FC, Ogungbure was the subject of monkey noises from Hallescher FC Fans. In retaliation he placed two fingers above his mouth and saluted at the crowd – a reference to Adolf Hitler. First, Ogungbure was accused and reported by German police, as it is illegal to make Nazi gestures for political or abusive purposes, but criminal proceedings were dropped 24 hours later.[1]

The team and especially a group of the supporters of FC Sachsen came up with a campaign to show their solidarity with Ogungbure. The fans' campaign "Wir sind Ade" (We are Ade-bowale) managed to raise attention for Ogungbure's situation and against racism in Germany. The initiative still exists as "Bunte Kurve" (colourful fan stand).[2]

Notes and References

  1. News: Player Silences German Racists With Hitler Salute . 17 February 2008 . 3 April 2006 . . Eva . Lodde . Mike Glindmeier . Jens Todt . https://web.archive.org/web/20080228203909/http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,409517,00.html . 28 February 2008 . live .
  2. Web site: Bunte Kurve Für Fußball- Gegen Rassismus und Diskriminierung . German . bunte-kurve.de . 9 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120820162644/http://www.bunte-kurve.de/ . 20 August 2012 . live .