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German far-right party in row over Jerome Boateng 'neighbour' comments German rightwing party in row over Jerome Boateng 'neighbour' comments
(35 minutes later)
A leading member of Germany’s main nationalist party has been criticised for saying many people wouldn’t want Jerome Boateng, the international footballer, as a neighbour, in an apparent reference to the player’s ethnicity. A leading member of Germany’s main nationalist party has been criticised for saying many people would not want the international footballer Jerome Boateng as a neighbour, in an apparent reference to the player’s ethnicity.
Alexander Gauland, the deputy leader of the anti-immigration party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), was quoted on Sunday as telling the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper: “People find him good as a footballer. But they don’t want to have a Boateng as their neighbour.”Alexander Gauland, the deputy leader of the anti-immigration party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), was quoted on Sunday as telling the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper: “People find him good as a footballer. But they don’t want to have a Boateng as their neighbour.”
Germany’s national team has long reflected the varied ethnic backgrounds of its population, with black players often picked for international duty. Berlin-born Boateng, widely seen as one of the best defenders in the word, has played 57 games for Germany and was a key player in its 2014 World Cup-winning team. Germany’s national team has long reflected the varied ethnic backgrounds of its population. Berlin-born Boateng, widely seen as one of the best defenders in the world, has played 57 games for Germany and was a key player in its 2014 World Cup-winning team.
The Bayern Munich starm could captain Germany’s starting 11 at next month’s European Championship, appearing alongside third-generation Turkish-German winger Mesut Özil, who plays for Arsenal, and other players with non-exclusively German backgrounds. The Bayern Munich star could captain Germany’s starting 11 at next month’s European Championship, appearing alongside third-generation Turkish-German winger Mesut Özil, who plays for Arsenal, and other players with non-exclusively German backgrounds.
Disenchantment with the chancellor Angela Merkel’s welcoming stance towards refugees helped to propel Alternative for Germany to strong results in regional elections this year. Disenchantment with the chancellor Angela Merkel’s welcoming stance towards refugees helped to propel AfD to strong results in regional elections this year.
Gauland’s comments come days after supporters of German anti-Islam group Pegida criticised Kinder’s decision to replace the usual picture of a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy with images of non-white soccer players on its chocolate bars in a Euro 2016 promotion. Gauland’s comments come days after supporters of German anti-Islam group Pegida criticised Kinder’s decision to replace the usual picture of a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy with images of non-white soccer players on its confectionary in a Euro 2016 promotion.
The justice minister, Heiko Maas, called Gauland’s comment “unacceptable”. He wrote on Twitter: “Anyone who talks like this unmasks himself, and not just as a bad neighbour.” The justice minister, Heiko Maas, called Gauland’s comment “unacceptable”. He tweeted: “Anyone who talks like this unmasks himself, and not just as a bad neighbour.”
His comments came as a race row also threatened to engulf the French national team, after Eric Cantona suggested the ethnicity of players may have been a factor in the France manager Didier Deschamps picking his squad. Related: Didier Deschamps to take legal action against Eric Cantona over race claims
The former Manchester United and international footballer claimed Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa may have been left out of the starting 11 due to their race. Gauland’s comments came as a race row also threatened to engulf the French national team, after Eric Cantona suggested the ethnicity of players may have been a factor in the France manager Didier Deschamps picking his squad.
The former Manchester United and international footballer claimed Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa may have been left out of the starting 11 owing to their race.
“Benzema is a great player. Ben Arfa is a great player,” Cantona told the Guardian. “But Deschamps, he has a really French name. Maybe he is the only one in France to have a truly French name. Nobody in his family mixed with anybody, you know. Like the Mormons in America.“Benzema is a great player. Ben Arfa is a great player,” Cantona told the Guardian. “But Deschamps, he has a really French name. Maybe he is the only one in France to have a truly French name. Nobody in his family mixed with anybody, you know. Like the Mormons in America.
“So I’m not surprised he used the situation of Benzema [who was questioned by police over alleged links to a blackmail plot] not to take him. Especially after [prime minister Manuel] Valls said he should not play for France. And Ben Arfa is maybe the best player in France today. But they have some origins. I am allowed to think about that.”“So I’m not surprised he used the situation of Benzema [who was questioned by police over alleged links to a blackmail plot] not to take him. Especially after [prime minister Manuel] Valls said he should not play for France. And Ben Arfa is maybe the best player in France today. But they have some origins. I am allowed to think about that.”
In response, Deschamps’ lawyer, Carlos Brusa, told French sports daily L’Équipe and news channel BFMTV this week that he was launching legal proceedings against Cantona to penalise “the unacceptable slanderous and defamatory statements that harm Mr Deschamps’ integrity”.In response, Deschamps’ lawyer, Carlos Brusa, told French sports daily L’Équipe and news channel BFMTV this week that he was launching legal proceedings against Cantona to penalise “the unacceptable slanderous and defamatory statements that harm Mr Deschamps’ integrity”.