Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has condemned as “racist” a recent survey which asked participants whether they wanted to have more white players on the national team.
A poll by public broadcaster ARD found that 21% of respondents supported the proposal.
“This is racism. I think we need to wake up. Many people in Europe have had to flee to safer countries,” Nagelsmann said on Sunday.
The 36-year-old said he agreed with Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who had called the survey “racist” a day earlier.
“Josh [Kimmich] “It was a very clear and well-thought-out statement and they handled it really well,” Nagelsmann said at a briefing at the team's training base.
“I totally agree. This question is outrageous.”
“There are people in Europe who have been forced to flee because of war, economic or environmental disasters, and who simply want to be welcomed back,” he continued.
“We need to ask ourselves what are we doing now? We in Germany are doing very well. When we say things like this, I think it would be crazy to turn a blind eye and simply block out things like that.”
German national broadcaster ARD said it commissioned the study to obtain measurable data after journalists for a documentary on football and diversity faced repeated questions about the makeup of the national team.
The poll was conducted among 1,304 randomly selected respondents.
“We are disappointed with the result, but it also reflects the social situation in Germany today,” said Karl Warx, sports director at ARD broadcaster, which commissioned the poll.
“Sport plays an important role in our society and the national team is a strong example of integration,” German media quoted him as saying.
The current national team features a number of players of mixed ancestry, including captain Ilkay Gundogan and winger Leroy Sane.
Germany will host Euro 2024 later this month, and Nagelsmann said his team would play “for all the people.” Germany kicks off the tournament on June 14 against Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
The controversy comes just weeks after German soccer uniform manufacturer Adidas was forced to ban fans from buying Germany national team jerseys after media reports said the number 44 resembled the SS symbol of the Nazis during World War II.
The SS was responsible for many of the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis. SS members ranged from Gestapo agents to concentration camp guards. SS duties included administering the death camps where millions of Jews and others were murdered.
