Klopp brands far-right criticism of Germany squad's racial makeup 'complete nonsense'

Jurgen Klopp has condemned far-right criticism of the racial makeup of his Germany squad as “complete nonsense”, speaking at a press conference ahead of his side’s Nations League fixture against Serbia.

The backlash emerged after Germany’s shock home defeat to Greece last Saturday, which prompted several politicians from the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party to attack the number of non-white players in Klopp’s starting XI. AfD deputy leader Kay Gottschalk shared side-by-side images on social media comparing West Germany’s all-white 1990 World Cup final lineup with the team Klopp selected last week, writing: “Character traits, certain virtues, and team spirit are cultural values that develop over centuries and are shaped by shared historical experiences.”

Klopp was unequivocal in his response. “There is absolutely no reason to pay attention to these people,” he said. “You won’t get my thoughts on this. I have little time in everyday life for idiocy — and even less on social media.”

The Germany head coach has previously staked out a clear position on national identity and the far right. Without naming the AfD directly, Klopp said he wants to reclaim expressions of national pride from the “wrong people” and urged Germans to feel comfortable waving their flag again. “I don’t want to leave national pride to the wrong people,” he said. “I want it so that when someone waves it, no one thinks: ‘What is wrong with you?’ Instead, I want people to understand: you are happy and realise how lucky you were to be born, grow up, or move to this wonderful country.”

The AfD has been gaining ground in German politics, including in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, where it outperformed mainstream parties in a September regional election and could form the first far-right state government in postwar Germany.