Racist Attacks Expected To Trouble Germany
(Goal.com) - A wave of racist attacks in Germany in the run-up to the World Cup has the host nation fearing for its hard-won reputation for tolerance.
The alarm went off a weeks ago, when a former spokesman Uwe-Karsten Heye, who said non-whites were not safe in some areas in the former East Germany near Berlin.
“There are small and mid-sized towns in Brandenburg and elsewhere where I would advise anyone with a different skin colour not to go,” said Heye, referring to the state surrounding the capital.
“They may not leave with their lives.”
He was not alone in warning of xenophobic pockets in the former communist East, where the country's neo-Nazi party has found a following among unemployed youths.
The Africa Council, a group for expatriates, plans to publish a “No-Go-Area” brochure listing clubs, bars and restaurants in and around Berlin which black football fans should give a wide berth.
But politicians and football authorities said Heye's statement, scored an own goal for a country, which has painstakingly confronted its Nazi past to earn a reputation for political correctness.
German international Gerald Asamoah, who is the first black star to represent the German team, also warned and said it is vital that the host nation do not allow racist neo-Nazis to spoil the World Cup, which begins on Friday.
"Certain people have just been waiting for a big stage like the World Cup to bring this dreadful element in," Asamoah said Saturday in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine.
"I have been personally affected and find it terrible. It is very sad what you see about it on television every day. We cannot let the Nazis get the better of us at this World Cup."
Recently, Ghana also called for strong action on racism.
According to the international coordinator for debutants Ghana, "Racism is something which I don't think will go away," Ghana's Anthony Baffoe told reporters.
"The (World Cup) slogan is 'It's time to make friends' and I think it's a big opportunity for Germany to have friends after the World Cup and for a long time," he told reporters when asked if he was concerned about racism at the month-long tournament.
"I'm an ambassador against racism in Europe and if I see what happens to world class players like Samuel Eto'o... I'm behind them more than 100 percent and I think if Eto walks off the pitch, his players should walk off the pitch with him to send a signal.
"It will take a long time for it to go away but we are still going to fight against it."
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Comments
there should be no problems in germany with these racist, this is the most respected sporting showcase in the world. All races will be fine, there should be no need to worry.
Posted by: colin | June 7, 2006 10:29 AM
as a German, I'm emberrassed that Neo-Nazi's are even able to get themselves in the news. If they cause harm to any Africans, I will take this as if I was African, and I hope they will be punished beyond the extend of the law. I hope everyone who visits Germany will be treated well, feel safe, and won't run into any of those scumbags, even if they are the minority. I'm fricking tired being confronted with Neo Nazi news.
Posted by: andrej | June 9, 2006 12:59 AM
I believe racism is very evident in all facets of life.One always has the right to think or believe what they want.I personally think as an African,I am better than any white man who thinks he is better than me because of my background.It is simply stupidity and shallowness of character.These people just lack true values in life and they cat just get passed there shortcomings or delinquencies which are truly the actual problem.Ghana and Brazil game was one of the examples...and there are people who will just glide over these facts turning a blind eye.As big as Africa is only 5 slots are allowed into the world cup.If I were a president of any of these nations I would simply have them boycott the whole international soccer games.It's an insult,and the insult is recieved when you settle for the least the sports world can offer you-5 slots from the whole of Africa.I think Africa can survive being counted out of international soccer...that is if they have enough pride and a sense of selfworth
Posted by: Pk | June 29, 2006 05:01 PM
BION I'm impsreesd! Cool post!
Posted by: Elouise | April 29, 2011 07:56 PM