Former Ghanaian international, Anthony Yeboah has opened up on the circumstances that led to his Frankfurt exit in 1995.
Despite his legendary status at the club, the striker revealed that his experience with the Eagles was not always rosy.
The 56 year old accused former manager Jupp Heynckess of racial discrimination.
Yeboah was one of the first black players to play in the Bundesliga in the early 90’s and at the time racism was a widespread issue in German society.
The two-time Bundesliga golden boot winner eventually had to leave for England to join Leeds United, when he had not even heard of the English club.
It was all about racism,” he said when asked about why he left Frankfurt having established himself as a cult hero. “He knew what he was doing,” he referred to Heynckes.
“Why me, Okocha and Maurizio Gaudino? Three foreigners in the team. I remember the time they had to give me the captain, Jupp Heynckes said no, they have to ballot to elect the captain,” recollects Yeboah.
“All the players wanted me to be captain and since then he was never happy. He wanted to give the captain to one of the national players. And at the same time, the way he was treating the foreign players, I was not happy because I was the captain of the team.
“And when you tell someone like Jay Jay Okocha, and you refer him as you blacks, I get angry. It’s all about racism.” Yeboah had to confront Heynckes over some of his comments, leading to their relationship getting worse.
“He told me either he goes or I leave, that was what he told the club,” he added.
Yeboah scored 68 goals in 123 appearances for Frankfurt during a successful five-year spell.
