Bayern Munich and Germany defender Jerome Boateng says hearing comments made by a German politician in reference to his ethnicity.
The remarks were attributed to Alexander Gauland, deputy leader of Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD); the anti-immigration party.
He was quoted by newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung saying: “People like Boateng as a footballer, but wouldn’t want to live next to someone like him.”
The remarks have been widely criticised and the party to whom Gauland belongs have issued an apology.
However, Julia Klöckner, of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic party, described the offensive remark as “typical” of AfD, tweeting: “Better Boateng than Gauland as a neighbour. Typical AfD pattern: abuse, provoke – then try to relativise.”
When asked for his response, Berlin-born World Cup-winner Boateng expressed his disappointment.
“I do not assess it. Honestly I don’t have anything to say about this. I can only laugh,” he said. “It’s sad that these things still happen nowadays. But I have heard and seen enough positive things [towards him].”
The leader of Gauland’s party has subsequently apologised to Boateng amid widespread condemnation.
There was a sea of support for the Bayern Munich defender in Germany’s recent Euro 2016 warm-up match against Slovakia last night. It was his fifth game since returning from a torn tendon injury he suffered in January, a setback that drastically reduced his playing time; he made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarian giants.
Fears of him missing Euro 2016 were allayed when he recuperated just in time for Joachim Löw to announce his provisional squad. Boateng is now expected to make the final 23 and line up for Löw’s side when they begin their quest to win a fourth European Championship.
Since making his national team debut back in October 2009, the 27-year-old centre-back has gone on to win 58 caps. Germany face one more friendly with Hungary this weekend before their opening game in France, taking on Ukraine on June 12.
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