Germany: Broadcaster Runs Controversial Soccer Survey
German broadcaster ARD issued a controversial poll related to the race of players on the national soccer team, to which 21% said they wanted more white players. 66% felt it was good that the national soccer team was multicultural....
Facts
- German broadcaster ARD issued a controversial poll related to the race of players on the national soccer team, to which 21% said they wanted more white players. 66% felt it was good that the national soccer team was multicultural.1
- Midfielder Joshua Kimmich claimed the poll was 'racist,' to which coach Julian Nagelsmann agreed, adding that 'this question is insane.' The ARD argued that the poll is also 'an expression of the social situation in Germany today.'2
- ARD said the poll, which surveyed 1,304 people, aimed to gather data for a documentary called 'United and Justice and Diversity — The National Team Between Racism and Identification,' in which several players discuss their racism experience.3
- Kimmich further argued that soccer is a 'good example' of uniting 'different nations, different skin colours and different religions.' Nagelsmann added that anyone who can play at a top level is welcome to play for the national team.4
- Germany is set to host the European Championship, with its team scheduled to play warmup games on Monday and Wednesday against Ukraine and Greece, respectively, before opening the tournament against Scotland on June 14.5
Sources: 1Washington Post, 2BBC News, 3New York Times, 4The Mirror and 5Guardian.
Narratives
- Left narrative, as provided by kvcrnews.org. The racism shown toward non-white European soccer players is a microcosm of a larger problem throughout the continent. While soccer's growing diversity has shifted public opinion toward acceptance over the years, far-right politicians are now using this diversity for xenophobic ends. Immigrants — whether millionaire soccer stars or regular people — still face this harsh reality on a daily basis.
- Right narrative, as provided by Europeanconservative. Whether it be in sports teams or national demographics more generally, not all those who wish to maintain a cultural identity are racist. When European culture dies and racial tensions only worsen, it's not wrong to question whether the 'diversity utopia' theory has been proven wrong.
