Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann slammed the ‘racist’ survey asking if more white players should be on the national team.
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Germany coach condemns racist survey
The poll by ARD revealed 21% of the 1,304 respondents preferred more white-skinned players for the German team.
Nagelsmann shared his thoughts about the survey during the team’s training camp for the upcoming EURO 2024.
“I thought about it briefly and I have the feeling that we need to wake up a bit,” Nagelsmann said. “There are people in Europe who’ve had to flee because of war, economic factors, environmental disasters, people who simply want to be taken in. We have to ask what are we doing at the moment?”
The 36-year-old said he agreed with Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who also condemned the questionnaire a day earlier.
“We in Germany are doing very, very well. When we say something like that, I think it’s crazy how we turn a blind eye and simply block out such things.”
ARD said a reporter working on the documentary on football and diversity was repeatedly asked about the make-up of the national team.
Germany to play “for everyone in the country”
Nagelsmann said that people of all races are welcome to join the national team, as long as they can play top football.
The German coach stated he’ll stick to his 27-man squad, which includes six Black players.
“It’s good as it is,” Nagelsmann said. “We’re playing a European Championship for everyone in the country. Anyone who can play top football is invited to be a national player and give their all for their country. That’s what we’re doing. I hope I never have to read about such a [expletive] survey again.”
The host nation will kick off the tournament on June 14 in Group A play against Scotland in Munich.
