A dominant Europa League performance by VfB Stuttgart was overshadowed by an ugly incident when Go Ahead Eagles forward Victor Edvardsen mocked Angelo Stiller’s appearance with an offensive gesture directed at the German midfielder’s nose. The 29-year-old Swedish striker has since apologized and been fined €500 by his club following widespread condemnation from football legends, teammates, and fans on social media.
The incident occurred during Stuttgart’s commanding 4-0 victory over the Dutch side at De Adelaarshorst on November 27, 2025, turning what should have been a celebration of German footballing excellence into a discussion about respect, dignity, and the consequences of unsportsmanlike conduct in professional football.
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The Incident That Shocked European Football
Angelo Stiller, Stuttgart’s 24-year-old defensive midfielder who has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising talents, became the target of inappropriate mockery in the 73rd minute of the Europa League clash. Victor Edvardsen, who had been introduced as a 71st-minute substitute for Go Ahead Eagles, received a yellow card just three minutes into his cameo when he repeatedly gestured at his own nose while confronting Stiller following a foul on Stuttgart’s Atakan Karazor.
The gesture was a clear attempt to mock Stiller’s physical appearance. The German international was born with a cleft lip and palate, a congenital condition that occurs during early fetal development when the tissue forming the lip or roof of the mouth doesn’t fuse properly. While this condition requires surgical intervention early in life, individuals with cleft lip and palate can and do lead full, active lives—as Stiller’s remarkable football career clearly demonstrates.
| Incident Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Go Ahead Eagles 0-4 VfB Stuttgart |
| Competition | UEFA Europa League (Matchday 5) |
| Date | November 27, 2025 |
| Time of Incident | 73rd minute |
| Player Involved | Victor Edvardsen (Go Ahead Eagles) |
| Victim | Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart) |
| Immediate Punishment | Yellow card for both players |
| Club Fine | €500 (donated to social services) |
| Referee | Mohammed Al-Hakim (Sweden) |
The incident sparked an immediate confrontation between the two teams, with Stuttgart players rushing to defend their teammate. Swedish referee Mohammed Al-Hakim struggled to restore order as players from both sides squared up, shoved each other, and exchanged heated words. Both Edvardsen and Angelo Stiller received yellow cards following the altercation, though many observers felt the Swedish forward was fortunate not to receive a red card for his actions.
Angelo Stiller: Rising Star with Admirable Resilience
Angelo Stiller’s journey to becoming one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders is a testament to his talent, determination, and resilience in the face of challenges. Born on April 4, 2001, in Munich, Germany, Stiller has been open about living with a cleft lip and palate throughout his life. Rather than allowing this visible difference to define him negatively, he has channeled his experiences into becoming an advocate for people with similar conditions while excelling on the football pitch.
The midfielder’s career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable. Spotted by Bayern Munich scouts at the age of nine while playing for TSV Milbertshofen in north Munich, Stiller developed through the Bayern youth academy before making substitute appearances for the first team in the DFB Cup and Champions League during the 2020-21 season. After moves to TSG Hoffenheim and then to VfB Stuttgart in August 2023, he has blossomed into a complete modern midfielder.
Standing at 1.83 meters tall, Angelo Stiller is a deep-lying playmaker in the mold of Toni Kroos, known for his exceptional passing range, ability to dictate tempo, and calm possession under pressure. His performances for Stuttgart during their sensational 2023-24 campaign—when they finished second in the Bundesliga, pipping Bayern Munich to the runners-up spot—earned him his first Germany national team call-up in September 2024.
Stuttgart currently sits fifth in the Bundesliga with seven wins from 11 matches in the 2025-26 season, with Stiller serving as an integral part of their midfield. His market value has risen to €45 million, and he has attracted interest from elite clubs including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid, and several Premier League giants. His contract with Stuttgart runs until June 30, 2028, though speculation about a potential €35 million release clause for summer 2026 continues to circulate.
Victor Edvardsen’s Initial Defiance and Subsequent Apology
The immediate aftermath of the incident revealed a troubling lack of remorse from Victor Edvardsen. In his post-match interview with Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport, the Swedish striker offered a mixture of justification and deflection rather than a genuine apology.
“Normally that’s not okay, but the adrenaline overwhelmed me,” Edvardsen stated. “I have a lot of emotions when I play. I haven’t apologised yet and I don’t know if I will. If I meet him I can apologise. Emotion is part of football. It’s easy to say sorry, but he also said things you don’t know about. He could also apologise to me.“
This response only intensified the criticism directed at the Swedish forward. His attempt to shift blame by claiming Angelo Stiller had also said objectionable things—without providing any evidence or context—was widely viewed as an attempt to deflect from his own unacceptable behavior.
However, under mounting pressure from his club, teammates, football legends, and the wider football community, Victor Edvardsen’s position softened considerably. Late on the evening of November 27, after the match had concluded, Edvardsen visited the Stuttgart dressing room during the doping control procedures to apologize directly to Stiller in person. This private apology was followed by a public statement released by Go Ahead Eagles on Friday, November 29, 2025.
“I want to apologize for my behavior,” Edvardsen said in the official club statement. “Things were said and done between us that don’t belong on a football pitch. I have a role model function and I must behave accordingly. After the match, I went to the Stuttgart dressing room to offer my apologies.”
Go Ahead Eagles announced that Victor Edvardsen had been fined €500, with the money to be donated to the club’s social services department. Club general director Jan Willem van Dop issued a statement emphasizing that such conduct is unacceptable: “This is unacceptable behavior. You can’t turn it back, but this doesn’t belong in football.”
Football Legends Condemn the Gesture as “Bullying”
The most powerful criticism of Victor Edvardsen came from Dutch football legend Wesley Sneijder, who was working as an analyst for the broadcast and witnessed the incident live. The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid midfielder, who won the treble with Inter in 2010 and led the Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, did not mince words in his assessment.
“He needs to go to the locker room and apologize,” Sneijder said emphatically during the live broadcast. “This is bullying. We know many examples where this has gone wrong. It’s a bad thing. This is so sad. These kinds of gestures are very wrong. They are absolutely unacceptable.”
Sneijder’s use of the term “bullying” was particularly significant, as it reframed the incident not merely as unsportsmanlike conduct but as a form of harassment that extends beyond the boundaries of competitive sporting behavior. His reference to “examples where this has gone wrong” likely alluded to the well-documented mental health consequences that can result from persistent bullying and mockery, particularly when directed at physical characteristics that individuals cannot change.
The 41-year-old continued his criticism after seeing Edvardsen’s initial post-match interview: “He wants to keep playing that tough guy. You’re a role model for kids. This is just bullying. I think this is terrible. As a club, you should grab that kid by the ear and take him to the Stuttgart dressing room.”
Go Ahead Eagles captain Mat Deijl also voiced clear criticism of his teammate, stating: “I said that I think it would be wise if he apologised to this boy.” The use of “this boy” to refer to Angelo Stiller—a 24-year-old professional footballer and German international—underscored the captain’s view that Edvardsen’s behavior was immature and beneath the standards expected of professional athletes.
German media were equally harsh in their assessment. RTL commentator Cornelius Küpper described Edvardsen’s action as “hochgradig asozial” (highly antisocial) during the live broadcast, while Eurosport labeled it a “Nasen-Skandal” (nose scandal) that overshadowed Stuttgart’s impressive performance.
Social Media Erupts with Condemnation
The incident quickly went viral on social media platforms, with video clips of Victor Edvardsen’s gesture being shared millions of times across Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms. The overwhelming majority of responses condemned the Swedish forward’s actions, with many calling for stricter sanctions beyond the yellow card and club fine.
Fans from across the football world united in their criticism, regardless of club allegiances. The consensus was clear: mocking someone’s physical appearance—particularly when related to a medical condition present from birth—crosses a fundamental line of human decency that has no place in professional sports or society at large.
Many social media users drew attention to the fact that Angelo Stiller has been remarkably open about his experiences living with a cleft lip and palate, using his platform as a professional footballer to advocate for greater awareness and acceptance of visible differences. This advocacy work, combined with his excellence on the pitch, has made him a role model for countless young people facing similar challenges.
The backlash became so intense that Victor Edvardsen deactivated his Instagram account in the days following the incident, unable to cope with the volume of critical messages he was receiving. While some observers expressed concern about the potential for online harassment to cross into abusive territory, most agreed that Edvardsen’s actions warranted serious consequences and that public accountability was appropriate.
Several fans also noted that this was not Victor Edvardsen’s first controversial incident. In April 2025, following Go Ahead Eagles’ KNVB Cup victory over AZ Alkmaar, Edvardsen displayed a banner during the celebration showing AZ defender Wouter Goes depicted as a dog on a leash. The KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) issued a reprimand but stopped short of imposing a suspension. The pattern of behavior raised questions about whether Edvardsen understands the responsibilities that come with being a professional athlete.
Stuttgart’s Measured Response
In contrast to the fiery reactions from Wesley Sneijder and many members of the football community, VfB Stuttgart adopted a more diplomatic approach to the incident. Sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth, speaking to media after the match, chose to downplay the severity of what had occurred.
“I saw it, but from a distance it was still difficult for me to assess,” Wohlgemuth stated. “It’s about Europa League points for Deventer just as it is for us. So if emotions are running high and then quickly subside, and the referee takes the right measures, then it’s not all that big of a deal. Therefore, everything’s fine.”
This measured response likely reflects several factors. First, Stuttgart had just secured a crucial victory that moved them from 20th to 12th in the Europa League standings, putting them firmly in contention for a top-eight finish that would guarantee automatic qualification to the round of 16. The sporting director may have been reluctant to allow a negative incident to overshadow what was otherwise a dominant performance.
Second, Angelo Stiller himself handled the situation with remarkable maturity. While he was visibly furious during the immediate aftermath of the gesture and confronted Edvardsen forcefully, he did not escalate the situation beyond what was necessary to defend his dignity. He accepted Victor Edvardsen’s personal apology later that evening and has not made any public statements seeking additional sanctions or continuing the controversy.
Third, Stuttgart may have recognized that Victor Edvardsen’s subsequent apology and the €500 fine imposed by Go Ahead Eagles represented an appropriate resolution, particularly given that the Swedish forward had sought out Angelo Stiller privately to express his remorse directly.
The Dominant Performance Overshadowed
The unfortunate reality is that Victor Edvardsen’s inexcusable behavior overshadowed what was an outstanding performance from VfB Stuttgart in a crucial Europa League fixture. The German side controlled the match from start to finish, establishing a 2-0 lead by halftime and never looking threatened by their Dutch opponents.
Jamie Leweling was the star of the show with a brilliant brace. The winger opened the scoring in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a Go Ahead Eagles turnover deep in their own half. Maximilian Mittelstädt’s quick thinking allowed Leweling to collect the ball in the penalty area and poke home past goalkeeper Jari De Busser. Leweling doubled his tally and Stuttgart’s lead in the 35th minute when Angelo Stiller played a magnificent long ball that the forward latched onto before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.
The second half saw Stuttgart continue to dominate. In the 59th minute, Bilal El Khannouss made it 3-0 with a powerful strike into the bottom right corner after Deniz Undav’s clever chested pass fell perfectly into his path inside the penalty area. Undav, who provided two assists on the night, was instrumental in Stuttgart’s attacking play throughout.
Substitute Badredine Bouanani added a fourth goal in second-half stoppage time (90+4′), finishing clinically from Lorenz Assignon’s pass to round off a comprehensive victory. The 4-0 scoreline accurately reflected Stuttgart’s superiority, with the home side managing just two shots on target across the entire 90 minutes.
The victory was crucial for Stuttgart’s Europa League campaign. After five matches in the competition, they now have nine points from three wins and two defeats, sitting in 12th place in the 36-team table. The top eight teams will receive a bye directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th through 24th will contest the knockout phase play-offs. Stuttgart’s position puts them firmly in contention for a top-eight finish, though they will need continued strong performances in their remaining three league phase matches.
For Go Ahead Eagles, the defeat was their third in five Europa League matches, leaving them in 27th place with six points. The Dutch side, who had previously earned praise for their fighting spirit in draws against Ajax and victories in European competition, were thoroughly outclassed by a Stuttgart team that sits fifth in the Bundesliga and appears to be hitting peak form at the perfect time.
The Broader Context: Respect and Dignity in Football
The incident involving Victor Edvardsen and Angelo Stiller highlights important questions about the boundaries of competitive behavior in professional sports. While passion, emotion, and psychological tactics have always been part of football, there are certain lines that should never be crossed.
Mocking someone’s physical appearance—particularly when related to a medical condition present from birth—is one of those clear boundaries. It is not “gamesmanship” or “getting inside an opponent’s head”; it is simply bullying, as Wesley Sneijder correctly identified. The fact that such behavior occurred during a professional match broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide, involving athletes who serve as role models for young people, makes it especially problematic.
Angelo Stiller’s experiences living with a cleft lip and palate have shaped his character and contributed to his resilience both on and off the pitch. He has been open about the challenges he has faced and has used his platform to advocate for greater awareness and acceptance of visible differences. His success at the highest levels of football demonstrates that such conditions do not define a person’s worth, abilities, or potential.
The football community’s united response in condemning Victor Edvardsen’s actions sends an important message: there is no place in the sport for mockery of physical characteristics, regardless of the competitive context. The Swedish forward’s initial attempt to justify his behavior by claiming “adrenaline” and “emotion” were to blame was rightfully rejected as inadequate. Professional athletes are expected to maintain basic standards of human decency even in the heat of competition.
Has Victor Edvardsen’s Apology Been Sufficient?
The question of whether Victor Edvardsen’s apology and the €500 fine represent adequate consequences for his actions remains a matter of debate. On one hand, the Swedish forward did eventually take responsibility, apologized both privately and publicly, accepted his punishment from the club, and demonstrated through his actions that he recognized the wrongfulness of his behavior.
On the other hand, many observers argue that more significant sanctions should have been imposed. Some have called for a multi-match suspension from UEFA, pointing out that the €500 fine represents a trivial amount for a professional footballer and may not serve as a sufficient deterrent to prevent similar incidents in the future. The fact that Victor Edvardsen initially expressed uncertainty about whether he would apologize at all has left some skeptical about whether his eventual apology was genuinely heartfelt or simply a response to overwhelming public pressure.
Angelo Stiller’s decision to accept Edvardsen’s apology and move on with dignity deserves recognition. The German midfielder could have used this incident to seek maximum punishment for his opponent, but instead chose a path of reconciliation that demonstrates remarkable maturity and character. His response speaks to his strength of character and his understanding that the best way to respond to such incidents is to let one’s actions on the pitch do the talking.
The incident will likely fade from headlines as both players and teams move forward with their respective seasons, but the lessons it teaches should remain. Professional athletes have responsibilities that extend beyond their sporting performances. They are role models, ambassadors for their clubs and countries, and representatives of the values that sports should embody: respect, fair play, and the celebration of human diversity and achievement.
Stuttgart’s Title Chase and European Ambitions
For Angelo Stiller and VfB Stuttgart, the focus now returns to their impressive form in both domestic and European competition. The German club sits fifth in the Bundesliga with 20 points from 11 matches, just five points behind leaders Bayern Munich in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive title races in recent Bundesliga history.
Stuttgart’s next major test comes on December 6, 2025, when they travel to face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena—a fixture that could have significant implications for both the title race and Angelo Stiller’s future. Bayern have been strongly linked with a move for their former academy product, with legendary midfielder Toni Kroos reportedly providing glowing reports about Stiller’s quality to Real Madrid as well.
In the Europa League, Stuttgart’s victory over Go Ahead Eagles has positioned them well for a potential top-eight finish. Their remaining three league phase matches will be crucial in determining whether they can secure the automatic round of 16 qualification that comes with finishing in the top eight, or whether they will need to navigate the knockout phase play-offs.
Angelo Stiller will continue to be central to Stuttgart’s ambitions in both competitions. His evolution from a Bayern Munich academy prospect to one of Europe’s most complete midfielders has been one of the feel-good stories of German football in recent seasons. The incident with Victor Edvardsen, while regrettable, will likely serve only to further demonstrate Stiller’s character and resilience—qualities that have defined his career thus far.
FAQs
What did Victor Edvardsen do to Angelo Stiller during the Europa League match?
Victor Edvardsen repeatedly gestured at his own nose while confronting Angelo Stiller during Stuttgart’s 4-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles on November 27, 2025. The gesture was intended to mock Stiller’s appearance, as the German midfielder was born with a cleft lip and palate. Both players received yellow cards following the incident.
Has Victor Edvardsen apologized for his actions?
A: Yes, Victor Edvardsen has apologized for his behavior. After initially expressing uncertainty about whether he would apologize, he visited the Stuttgart dressing room on the evening of the match to apologize directly to Angelo Stiller. He then issued a public apology through Go Ahead Eagles on November 29, 2025, acknowledging his role model responsibility and stating that his behavior was inappropriate.
What punishment did Victor Edvardsen receive?
Victor Edvardsen received a yellow card during the match from Swedish referee Mohammed Al-Hakim. His club, Go Ahead Eagles, subsequently fined him €500, with the money being donated to the club’s social services department. No additional sanctions from UEFA have been announced as of November 29, 2025.
What is a cleft lip and palate?
A cleft lip and palate is a congenital condition that occurs during early fetal development when the tissue forming the lip or roof of the mouth doesn’t fuse properly, resulting in a gap or opening. It is one of the most common birth defects worldwide. The condition is typically addressed through surgical procedures within the first few months of life, often requiring additional interventions as the child grows. With proper medical care, individuals with cleft lip and palate can live full, active lives, as Angelo Stiller’s successful football career demonstrates.
How did the football community react to the incident?
A: The football community overwhelmingly condemned Victor Edvardsen’s actions. Dutch legend Wesley Sneijder called it “bullying” and “absolutely unacceptable” during the live broadcast. Go Ahead Eagles captain Mat Deijl criticized his teammate, German media described it as “highly antisocial,” and social media erupted with criticism from fans worldwide. The incident sparked a broader discussion about respect, dignity, and the responsibilities of professional athletes as role models.
