RB Leipzig has come under fire for a social media post targeting Union Berlin’s head coach Marie-Louise Eta ahead of their Bundesliga clash on Friday evening. The German club shared a photo collage on X (formerly Twitter) featuring Eta in RB Leipzig attire alongside former players and staff, sparking immediate criticism for perceived sexism.
The controversy stems from an earlier post by Union Berlin on Tuesday, which included a subtle jab at Leipzig regarding the city’s appeal despite the club’s unpopularity among some fans due to its Red Bull ownership and relatively short Bundesliga history. Leipzig’s response two days later directly referenced Eta, stating “Your head coach found not only the city quite nice…” while displaying the collage showing her in Leipzig gear with former coach Marco Rose and ex-players Emil Forsberg and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Eta spent a week in November 2022 shadowing Marco Rose during her pursuit of a UEFA Pro License, an experience documented on Leipzig’s official website at the time. Her husband Benjamin currently works as a coach for Leipzig’s U20 women’s team, adding a personal connection to the club.
Social media users quickly condemned the post, with many labeling it sexist and inappropriate. One critic noted the implication was “subtle sexism,” while another accused the club of undermining women’s visibility in football by suggesting such content was unnecessary for events like Christopher Street Day (CSD). Conversely, some supporters pointed out that Eta herself had shared a similar collage on Instagram in January 2023, arguing she was proud of her time at Leipzig and that accusations of sexism reflected more on the accusers.
In response to the backlash, Leipzig issued a statement emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for sexism and expressing enthusiasm for Eta’s potential return to the club. They clarified the repost was intended to highlight her positive experience during her 2022 visit and as a direct counter to Union’s initial provocation. The club likewise highlighted its commitment to gender diversity, noting women hold various leadership positions within the organization.
Union Berlin declined to comment on Leipzig’s post when approached. Eta, who made history as Union’s first female head coach, has faced frequent sexist remarks online since her appointment. She previously stated such comments reveal more about the commentators than about her, adding that she does not let the negativity affect her.
The Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and Union Berlin is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 PM local time in Leipzig (6:30 PM UTC) on Friday, April 25, 2026, at Red Bull Arena. Leipzig currently sits third in the league standings with 59 points from 30 matches, while Union Berlin occupies 11th place with 32 points from the same number of games.
As both teams prepare for their upcoming fixture, the focus remains on the sporting contest amid the off-field controversy. Fans and observers await to see how the situation unfolds both on and off the pitch in what promises to be a highly anticipated East German derby.
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