Klopp dismisses AfD claims that Germany squad is 'not white enough' as 'complete nonsense'
Germany coach Jurgen Klopp said claims that his squad is "not white enough" were "complete nonsense" and not worth attention. The claims came from far-right AfD politicians after a home defeat to Greece.
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The story, neutrally told
MixedGermany head coach Jurgen Klopp dismissed claims that the national team is "not white enough" as "complete nonsense" at a press conference ahead of a Nations League match against Serbia. Anadolu AgencyN “dismissed claims that the national football team is "not white enough" as "complete nonsense"” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Irish IndependentRC “branding the accusations on social media as “complete nonsense”” Read at Irish Independent ↗ MixedKlopp said: "There is absolutely no reason to pay attention to these people. You won't get my thoughts on this. I have little time in everyday life for idiocy -- and even less on social media." Anadolu AgencyN “"There is absolutely no reason to pay attention to these people," Klopp said.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Irish IndependentRC “I have little time in everyday life for idiocy — and even less on social media.”” Read at Irish Independent ↗ MixedThe criticism followed Germany's shock defeat to Greece in Augsburg, Klopp's first home defeat as national team coach, after which several politicians from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) criticised the number of non-white players in the team. Anadolu AgencyN “Germany's shocking loss to Greece in Augsburg, when Klopp suffered his first home defeat as the national team coach.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Irish IndependentRC “sparked several politicians from the far-right party Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) to criticise the number of non-white players representing the country” Read at Irish Independent ↗
MixedAfD figure Kay Gottschalk, described by the Irish Independent as a deputy leader and by Anadolu as a lawmaker, posted side-by-side images of West Germany's all-white 1990 World Cup final team and the starting XI Klopp picked against Greece; Anadolu says the latter included eight non-white players. Irish IndependentRC “AfD deputy leader Kay Gottschalk took to social media to share side-by-side images of West Germany’s team from the 1990 World Cup final” Read at Irish Independent ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “which included eight non-white players in the starting lineup” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ CentreGottschalk wrote that "character traits, certain virtues, and team spirit are cultural values that develop over centuries and are shaped by shared historical experiences." Anadolu AgencyN “"Character traits, certain virtues, and team spirit are cultural values that develop over centuries and are shaped by shared historical experiences," Gottschalk wrote.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ CentreKlopp also said the squad showed how people from different backgrounds can coexist: "The group we have here together couldn't be better in terms of how they get along," and "the world could learn a thing or two from a sports dressing room." Anadolu AgencyN “"The group we have here together couldn't be better in terms of how they get along,"”“"The world could learn a thing or two from a sports dressing room.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
RightKlopp had earlier said he does not want to "leave national pride to the wrong people" and wants to "reclaim the flag", remarks widely seen as a rebuke to the far right; he did not name the AfD. Irish IndependentRC ““I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people,” said Klopp.”“Without mentioning the AfD by name, he added that he would like to “reclaim the flag”.” Read at Irish Independent ↗ RightThe Irish Independent notes the AfD is rising, having won in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September, where it could form the first far-right state government in postwar Germany. Irish IndependentRC “including in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September, where it trounced mainstream parties to win.” Read at Irish Independent ↗ CentreAnadolu adds that players with immigrant backgrounds have faced racism before: Mesut Ozil retired from the national team in 2018 citing "racism and disrespect", and in 2016 then-AfD deputy leader Alexander Gauland was criticised over remarks about Jerome Boateng. Anadolu AgencyN “Mesut Ozil, who was born in Germany to a family of Turkish origin and helped the country win the 2014 World Cup, retired from international football, citing "racism and disrespect."”“then-AfD deputy leader Alexander Gauland drew widespread criticism” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Straight news report on Klopp's rebuttal, with historical context on racism faced by players with immigrant backgrounds.
- Emphasis
- Klopp's comments on dressing-room unity; Ozil and Boateng precedents; eight non-white starters.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the AfD's electoral gains or Klopp's earlier 'national pride' remarks.
- Charged language
- “far-right politicians”“shocking loss”
- For example
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“Germany's national team players with immigrant backgrounds have previously faced racist comments and controversy over their identities.” — Anadolu Agency
“after far-right politicians criticized the racial composition of his squad.” — Anadolu Agency
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads on Klopp's personal reaction, saying he is 'disgusted', and links it to AfD's political rise and his earlier national-pride comments.
- Emphasis
- AfD's electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt; Klopp's wish to 'reclaim the flag'.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits the Ozil and Boateng history and the number of non-white starters; does not quote Klopp on the dressing room.
- Charged language
- “disgusted”“slams”“trounced”“wrong people”
- For example
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“Jurgen Klopp is disgusted by claims that his Germany squad is “not white enough”” — Irish Independent
“AfD has been on the rise in Germany, making gains in recent elections” — Irish Independent
What every side reports
- Klopp called the 'not white enough' claims 'complete nonsense' at a press conference before the Nations League match against Serbia.
- The claims followed Germany's home defeat to Greece, Klopp's first home match as coach.
- AfD's Kay Gottschalk shared images comparing the 1990 West Germany team with Klopp's starting XI.
Where accounts differ
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Kay Gottschalk's role and the day of Klopp's remarks
- Centre
- Anadolu calls Gottschalk an AfD lawmaker and says Klopp spoke on Wednesday.
- Right
- The Irish Independent calls Gottschalk AfD deputy leader and was published Thursday evening, without giving the day of the press conference.
Jurgen Klopp person
Dismisses the claims as nonsense unworthy of attention, praises the squad's cohesion and says he wants to reclaim national pride from the 'wrong people'.
“"There is absolutely no reason to pay attention to these people," Klopp said.” — Anadolu Agency
““I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people,” said Klopp.” — Irish Independent
Alternative for Germany party
AfD politicians criticised the number of non-white players; Gottschalk argued that character and team spirit are cultural values developed over centuries.
“Several politicians from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party subsequently criticized the number of non-white players representing Germany.” — Anadolu Agency
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Klopp calls 'Germany not white enough' comments 'complete nonsense'
Neutral Reports Klopp's rebuttal with historical context of racism towards German players of immigrant background.
Right1 article
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Sympathetic Presents Klopp as disgusted and rebuking the AfD, set against the party's electoral rise.
- 1 Oct 20:55 First Irish IndependentRC ‘No reason to pay attention to these people’ — Jurgen Klopp disgusted by claim Germany squad ‘not white enough’
- 2 Oct 15:56 +19h 2m Anadolu AgencyN Klopp calls 'Germany not white enough' comments 'complete nonsense'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.