Adebowale Ogungbure

Nigerian footballer

Adebowale Ogungbure
Personal information
Date of birth	(1981-07-13) 13 July 1981 (age 42)
Place of birth	Lagos, Nigeria
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Vissai Ninh Bình
Youth career
	Nigerdock Lagos
	NEPA Lagos
	ASACO Cotonou
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–2000	1. FC Nürnberg II
2000–2001	1. FC Nürnberg	12	(0)
2002–2003	SSV Reutlingen	32	(3)
2003–2005	Energie Cottbus	36	(0)
2005–2007	FC Sachsen Leipzig	43	(0)
2007–2008	Kickers Offenbach	15	(0)
2011	Vissai Ninh Bình	22	(2)
Total		160	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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]

References

^ Lodde, Eva; Mike Glindmeier; Jens Todt (3 April 2006). "Player Silences German Racists With Hitler Salute". Der Spiegel. Archived from the original on 28 February 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2008.
^ "Bunte Kurve Für Fußball- Gegen Rassismus und Diskriminierung" (in German). bunte-kurve.de. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.