Ivory Coast manager suggests Schweinsteiger comments could be considered racist
Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae has suggested that comments made by former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger regarding the team’s playing style could be viewed as racist. Schweinsteiger, a pundit for German public broadcaster ARD, made the remarks before Germany‘s 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in their 2026 World Cup Group E match.
Schweinsteiger described Ivory Coast‘s style as “a bit African football,” “a bit unorthodox,” “a bit wild,” and “not so conditioned by tactics.” He also stated that Germany needed to be prepared for the team to be unpredictable. These comments have since generated controversy in German media and on social media platforms.
Manager’s Disappointment and Response
When asked about Schweinsteiger‘s comments after Ivory Coast secured their first-ever qualification for the World Cup knockouts, Emerse Fae expressed his disappointment. Fae stated that he had always admired Schweinsteiger as a midfielder for his understanding of football, but was let down by the man after hearing his remarks.
“I think it’s sad,” Fae said following Ivory Coast‘s 2-0 win against Curacao in Philadelphia, which secured second place in Group E. He added, “It is odd he would speak that way. We could call it racist, if we were calling a spade a spade.”
Fae indicated that he does not agree with the comments and believes they may be influenced by long-standing biases concerning African football. He emphasised that his team’s performance on the pitch is the only way to demonstrate that African teams possess technical and tactical abilities, not just physical attributes.
The Ivory Coast manager also speculated that Schweinsteiger‘s comments might have been intended to create controversy and attract attention. He concluded by saying, “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.”
Broader Debate and Media Reaction
Schweinsteiger‘s remarks have sparked a debate about racism and colonial tropes in football analysis. Social media and German mainstream media have accused him of using stereotypes that reduce Black people to physical attributes rather than acknowledging their intellectual capabilities in the sport.
Journalist and author Philipp Awounou, in a column for Spiegel news magazine, explained that terms like “wild” and “unpredictable” carry racist and colonial roots, historically used to stigmatise Black people as uncivilised and potentially dangerous. Sports content creator Patrick Schnitzler also highlighted academic studies showing that commentators often focus more on the physical traits of Black footballers.
Despite the controversy, Awounou clarified that he does not believe Schweinsteiger is a racist, stating, “That’s simply wrong.” He suggested that the comments might reflect a common opinion among many German football fans and experts. However, Awounou noted that Ivory Coast‘s performance against Germany, particularly in the first half, demonstrated a tactically solid approach, contradicting Schweinsteiger‘s assessment.
Ivory Coast‘s tactical play forced Julian Nagelsmann‘s team into wide areas and limited them to crosses and long-range shots. The team, which did not concede a single goal in qualifying, also posed a threat on the counter-attack, with captain Franck Kessié scoring the opening goal. Even after halftime, Ivory Coast had opportunities to extend their lead.
After the match, Schweinsteiger acknowledged on social media that Ivory Coast was a difficult opponent, showcasing their technical quality and physicality. Awounou further commented that if he had to choose, Germany appeared to be the “wilder” team in the game, pointing to Felix Nmecha, a German player of Nigerian roots, as an example of a player who stood out with both physicality and technique.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declined to answer a question on the subject during his attendance at the World Cup in New York. He stated that it was a serious subject and he did not know what was appropriate to say. Ivory Coast, despite their loss to Germany, advanced to the last 32 with victories over Ecuador and Curacao. They are scheduled to play either France or Norway in the first knockout round on June 30 in Arlington, Texas.
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Source: bbc.com
