Latest: Mo Farah has lodged formal complaint against German policeman he claims racially harassed him

Latest: Mo Farah is standing by his claim that he was racially harassed on Tuesday and has lodged a formal complaint with Munich Airport and the German Federal Police.

Latest: Mo Farah has lodged formal complaint against German policeman he claims racially harassed him

Update 5pm: Mo Farah is standing by his claim that he was racially harassed on Tuesday and has lodged a formal complaint with Munich Airport and the German Federal Police.

Farah filmed an altercation between him and a uniformed police officer at an airport on Tuesday, later posting it to his Instagram and Twitter feeds with the caption "Sad to see racial harassment in this day and age. 2018...!!!! #airport #germany".

After a spokesperson for Farah said there had been "an incident" and that the 34-year-old felt it "was racially motivated and that he was unfairly treated by the airport security staff", a German Federal Police spokesperson said the officer filmed was "properly carrying out his duty", and added: "I cannot see any indication of racial harassment by the Federal Police officer at all."

Another statement was then released to Press Association Sport, in which a spokesperson for Farah said: "Mo stands by his statement and has lodged a formal complaint with Munich Airport and the German Federal Police."

Earlier: German police said officer accused of racial harassment by Mo Farah did nothing wrong

German police have rejected Mo Farah's claim that he was racially harassed at Munich Airport and insist the officer filmed by the four-time Olympic champion was "properly carrying out his duty".

Farah filmed on Instagram Live an altercation between him and a uniformed police officer at an airport on Tuesday, later posting it to his Instagram and Twitter feeds with the caption "Sad to see racial harassment in this day and age. 2018...!!!! #airport #germany".

The 34-year-old was giving a running commentary as he was pushed towards the gate by the officer, claiming it was "pure harassment", though there was no evidence of any racial abuse in the 47-second clip.

A spokesperson for Farah said in a statement released to Press Association Sport on Tuesday that there had been "an incident at a German airport" and Farah felt it "was racially motivated and that he was unfairly treated by the airport security staff".

Today, the German Federal Police gave their version of events, with a spokesperson saying in a statement: "I cannot see any indication of racial harassment by the Federal Police officer at all."

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "On the way to his flight Sir Mo Farah had to pass the security check in Terminal 2 at Munich Airport.

"Security checks at Munich Airport are carried out by a private security company on behalf of the State of Bavaria. It seemed that Sir Mo Farah did not agree with this passenger security check performed on him and blamed this check a racist measure. Obviously he was very upset.

"As Sir Mo Farah didn't want to leave the security check point, security staff asked the Federal Police officer seen in the video for support. In cooperation with the security staff's supervisor, the officer tried to explain this routine measure to Sir Mo Farah and to calm him down. Unfortunately that didn't work.

"Then the officer asked him to leave the security check point because he was blocking the area. Sir Mo Farah got more and more upset. He continued arguing and blaming security staff and the Federal Police Officer being racists.

"At that point Sir Mo Farah started filming the sensible security check area, which is not allowed. The officer asked him to stop immediately recording. As Sir Mo Farah ignored this police order the officer asked him to leave the security control area and proceed to his departure gate.

"Mr Farah persistently ignored this second police order so that the officer slightly touched him and tried to direct him away from the security check area to the shopping and gate section what you can see in the video.

"Finally the Federal Police officer was properly carrying out his duty. I cannot see any indication of racial harassment by the Federal Police officer at all."

Farah's journey took him via Germany as he travelled from the UK to Ethiopia to complete his final training block ahead of next month's London Marathon.

The long-distance runner won the inaugural 'Big Half' in London on Sunday, his final warm-up race before he attempts to win the London Marathon on April 22.

- PA

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Manchester City v Liverpool FC - Premier League S Larry Ryan: Should we let coach Klopp write his own ending?
Donegal v Tyrone - Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final Cork vs Mayo game switched from Mallow, Fermanagh vs Armagh rescheduled
Cork v Kerry - Lidl Ladies National Football League Division 1 Limerick forced to move National Hurling League game from Gaelic Grounds
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited