Bastian Schweinsteiger is at the center of a racism storm after his comments on Ivory Coast's playing style. The former Manchester United and Bayern Munich midfielder described their football as 'African football' and 'a bit unorthodox sometimes, a bit wild, not quite as tactical'.
What happened?
Bastian Schweinsteiger made the comments while working as a pundit for German broadcaster ARD during the World Cup. His words have been widely condemned, with many accusing him of perpetuating racist stereotypes.
The ex-midfielder's comments came after Germany's 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast. He said Julian Nagelsmann's side had to be 'prepared for it to be unpredictable at times'.
Why it matters for Bastian Schweinsteiger
The controversy has sparked a heated debate in Germany, with many calling for Bastian Schweinsteiger to apologize for his comments. Jurgen Klopp, who is working as a pundit for Magenta TV in the US, was asked to comment on the saga and quickly ended the interview.
Klopp said he didn't want to be drawn into the controversy, stating 'I have no chance to answer this question'. He added that the subject was 'serious' and he didn't know what to say.
What comes next?
Bastian Schweinsteiger has since taken to social media to praise the Ivory Coast's technical quality and physicality. However, the damage may already be done, with many criticizing his initial comments.
Phillip Awounou, a black sports journalist and author from Germany, hit out at Bastian Schweinsteiger's comments, saying they perpetuated racist stereotypes. He wrote that 'behind attributions like "wild" and "unpredictable" are stereotypes which are older than football and which have racist, colonial roots'.
The controversy has highlighted the need for greater awareness and sensitivity in football commentary. As the World Cup continues, it remains to be seen how Bastian Schweinsteiger will respond to the backlash.
On 18 Jun, the World Cup match between Germany and the Ivory Coast ended 2-1 in favor of Germany. The win was a significant one for Julian Nagelsmann's side, but the controversy surrounding Bastian Schweinsteiger's comments has overshadowed the result.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, 41, has been working as a pundit for ARD during the World Cup. His comments have sparked a heated debate in Germany, with many calling for him to apologize.
The former midfielder's words have been condemned by many, including sports content creator Patrick Schnitzler. He told his 50,000 followers on Instagram that Bastian Schweinsteiger's comments were 'racist stereotypes'.
However, Awounou did state that he doesn't feel Bastian Schweinsteiger is a racist, adding 'that's simply wrong'. He said that regardless of his problematic remarks, Bastian Schweinsteiger 'is absolutely not a racist and shouldn't be labelled as such'