SC Freiburg's coach - Streich sees democracy in danger: "Stand up to them"
Soccer coach Christian Streich from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg is worried about democracy in Germany. "It's not going in the right direction right now," Streich told the football magazine "Kicker" (Thursday) in a double interview with coach Frank Schmidt from 1. FC Heidenheim. If someone in a stadium incites hatred against another person because of their skin color or sexual orientation, you have to "name the agitators in this country".
Referring to election polls, Streich said: "The AfD has more than 30 percent in some regions, but not 70 percent." The 58-year-old added: "We have to stand up to them. And do so rigorously. Because things are heading in a threatening direction all over the world." The Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the AfD as confirmed right-wing extremist in three German federal states.
Streich also sharply criticized CDU chairman Friedrich Merz, without mentioning his name directly. "One problem is when stories are told from the so-called political center that people who are on the run, who are doing terribly, are overburdening our dentists," Streich said. "These people who say such things should be ashamed of themselves." Around three months ago, Merz had said the following about asylum seekers: "They sit at the doctor's and have their teeth redone, and the German citizens next door can't get appointments." Streich described such statements as "highly dangerous".
Heidenheim's Schmidt declared that "standing up against any form of discrimination, racism or anti-Semitism is very important".
Bundesliga fixture list Bundesliga table
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- In Baden-Württemberg, the Bundesliga team 1. FC Heidenheim shares Heidenheim's coach Frank Schmidt's stance against any form of discrimination, racism, or anti-Semitism.
- The Bundeesliga fixture list and table have yet to reflect SC Freiburg's coach Christian Streich's concern about the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has seen polling above 30% in some regions.
- Stuttgart's CDU chairman Friedrich Merz has come under fire from Streich for comments discouraging sympathy towards asylum seekers, which the Freiburg coach deemed "highly dangerous."
- Despite Streich's criticisms, Merz contended that asylum seekers often seek medical care, such as dental work, whilst citizens struggle to secure appointments.
- The Office for the Protection of the Constitution classified the AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist party in three German federal states, prompting warnings from figures like Streich about the dangers of their influence.
- While Bundesliga teams like Freiburg and Heidenheim strive to promote positive messages to their fans, Germany is still grappling with the pressing issue of far-right extremism and its impact on democracy.
Source: www.stern.de
