Survey on migration faced criticism from Nagelsmann in the DFB team.

Football - Survey on migration faced criticism from Nagelsmann in the DFB team.

Germany's national football team coach Julian Nagelsmann angrily rejected a survey that suggested one in five Germans would prefer more Caucasian players on the team. "I hope to never come across such crap from this crappy survey again," said the 36-year-old coach at a DFB press conference before the EURO warm-up match against Ukraine on Monday (8:45 p.m./ARD) in Nuremberg.

Nagelsmann was stunned by the survey, which was conducted by the WDR show "Sport Inside." "I found it appalling that such questions were asked and answered," he remarked. "I consider it racist," he added.

WDR's head of sports, Karl Valks, defended the survey on Saturday. He explained that during the filming of the documentary "Unity and Right and Diversity," the reporter, Philipp Awounou, encountered the view that there were too few "real" white German players on the field. "We didn't want to simply report this anecdotally, but wanted to base it on credible data," Valks stated.

The TV broadcaster, therefore, commissioned the survey. "We're a bit surprised by the results, but they're also a reflection of the social situation in Germany today," Valks noted.

However, it's essential to evaluate the specific question critically, Kimmich pointed out on Saturday. This emphasizes the 20% who want fewer players with a migration background rather than the 65% who, according to the survey, have no issues with cultural diversity on the DFB team.

Nagelsmann speaks with emotion on this issue. "I get the feeling that we need to shake people up a bit. There are just so many people who have to flee, who are searching for a safe country," the national coach declared. "We're playing a European Championship for everyone in the country," he made clear.

Read also:

1. Despite the criticism, ARD still plans to broadcast the EURO warm-up match between Germany's national soccer team and Ukraine on Sunday.
2. The DFB squad, led by Julian Nagelsmann, is currently training in Herzogenaurach, preparing for the upcoming EURO tournament.
3. Nagelsmann strongly condemned the survey conducted by WDR's "Sport Inside," stating that he finds it racist and appalling.
4. The Bavarian-born coach, who took over the DFB team in 2023, emphasized the importance of cultural diversity in the German soccer team.
5. The survey, which attracted controversy, suggested that one in five Germans would prefer more Caucasian players on the national team.
6. The national coach urged for more understanding and empathy towards migrants, reminding everyone that they are playing for the whole country in the EURO.
7. The DFB team's performance in the EURO will be closely watched by soccer fans across Germany and beyond.
8. In the meantime, some German football clubs, like Bayern Munich from Bavaria, have been actively promoting diversity and integration.
9. Despite the ongoing migration debate, German soccer continues to be a source of national pride and unity, with the national soccer team representing the country in the UEFA European Championship (EM).

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