Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae has accused former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger of making comments that “could be called racist” after Schweinsteiger described the African side’s playing style as “wild” and “not so conditioned by tactics”.
Schweinsteiger, speaking as a commentator on German broadcaster ARD before Germany’s 2-1 win over Ivory Coast on June 20, said when asked about the Ivorians’ style: “A bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics. We must be prepared for it to be unpredictable.”
“Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae says Bastian Schweinsteiger's 'wild' comments about his team's style could be considered racist.”
Fae, who led Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2023, responded after his team made history by qualifying for the World Cup knockouts for the first time, sealing second place in Group E with a 2-0 win over Curacao in Philadelphia on Thursday.
“I think it’s sad,” Fae said. “Schweinsteiger was a very good player; I have always loved him as a midfielder and the way he understood football. When I heard his comments, I was disappointed in the man. It is odd he would speak that way. We could call it racist, if we were calling a spade a spade.”
Fae rejected the characterization of his team, saying: “I don’t agree with him, but I have no other solution other than to work with things as they are. All I can show is that on the pitch African teams are not just physical, we are technical and tactical. I can only hope it is a clumsy statement, rather than something going on in his mind. If that’s what he thinks, he is free to do so.”
He also suggested Schweinsteiger’s remarks were intended to attract attention. The comments have sparked controversy in German media, and former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp refused to engage when asked about them in New York on Wednesday while attending the World Cup. “Now you want to carry on the subject. No, no, I have no chance to answer this question,” Klopp said. “For African people it’s one thing, for other people it’s another thing, and I’m not here.”
Despite the loss to Germany, Ivory Coast’s qualification marks a milestone for the 2023 African champions, who now turn to the knockout stage under a cloud of unease over Schweinsteiger’s words.