Nagelsmann hits out at ´racist´ poll about make-up of Germany squad

Julian Nagelsmann has condemned a “racist” survey from German public broadcaster ARD, which asked respondents whether there should be more white players in the national team.

State broadcaster ARD asked 1,304 participants whether they would like to see more white players representing Germany at Euro 2024, with 21 per cent of respondents answering yes.

Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich described the poll as “absolute nonsense” on Saturday, saying the diversity of the national team was a major positive.

Coach Nagelsmann echoed those sentiments during a media briefing at the team’s Herzogenaurach training base on Sunday, saying: “It is racist. I feel we need to wake up.

“Many people now in Europe had to flee, searching for a safe country.

Here’s your Germany team for #EURO2024#DFB #GermanFootball #GermanMNT
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— German Football (@DFB_Team_EN) May 16, 2024

“Josh responded really well, with a very clear and thought-out statement. I see this in exactly the same way. This question is insane.

“There are people in Europe who have had to flee because of war, economic factors, environmental disasters, people who simply want to be taken in.

“We have to ask: What are we doing at the moment?

“We in Germany are doing very, very well, and when we say something like that, I think it’s crazy how we turn a blind eye and simply block out such things.”