Jurgen Klopp disgusted by claim Germany squad ‘not white enough’
Klopp previously said he wants to ‘reclaim the flag’ in a rebuke to the growing far-right in Germany
Jurgen Klopp has expressed disgust over allegations that Germany's national football team is "not white enough", dismissing the claims made on social media as "complete nonsense". While attending a press conference prior to his team's Nations League match against Serbia, Klopp dismissed questions about the racial makeup of his squad, stating that he had little patience for such nonsense.
Following a surprise loss to Greece, several far-right politicians, including the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) deputy leader Kay Gottschalk, criticized the squad's diversity. Gottschalk shared side-by-side images of West Germany's all-white team from the 1990 World Cup final and Klopp's current squad, which included a significant number of non-white players.
Gottschalk argued that traits like character and team spirit are cultural and historical, created over centuries. AfD's recent rise in Germany, particularly in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, has raised concerns. Klopp has previously stated his desire to reclaim national pride expressions from the "wrong people", effectively rebuking far-right groups.
He emphasized his wish to ensure that waving the national flag evokes feelings of pride and gratitude, rather than suspicion and doubt.
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