Emerse Fae, the coach of the Ivory Coast national football team, has suggested that comments made by former German player Bastian Schweinsteiger regarding his team's style of play could be considered racist. Schweinsteiger, speaking as a commentator for German broadcaster ARD before Germany's 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on June 20, described the Ivorian team's approach as "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."
Schweinsteiger's remarks have sparked controversy within German media. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, when asked about the subject while attending the World Cup in New York, declined to comment extensively, stating that it was a serious matter and he was unsure of the appropriate way to address it. "For African people it's one thing, for other people it's another thing, and I'm not here," Klopp told journalists.
Despite their loss to Germany, the Ivory Coast team has advanced to the last 32 of the tournament, having secured victories against Ecuador and Curacao in Group E. They are scheduled to face either France or Norway in their first knockout round match on June 30 in Arlington, Texas.
