Comments from former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger about Ivory Coast's "wild" playing style could be considered racist, says their manager Emerse Fae.
Schweinsteiger, speaking before Germany beat Ivory Coast in their 2026 World Cup Group E match, said Fae's team were "a bit African football" and "not so conditioned by tactics".
Asked about these comments after Ivory Coast qualified for the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history, Fae said he was disappointed by Schweinsteiger and suggested his comments were influenced by long-standing biases regarding African football.
"I think it's sad," Fae said after Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Curacao in Philadelphia on Thursday, which secured second place in Group E.
What each team need to reach World Cup knockouts
Schweinsteiger, speaking before Germany beat Ivory Coast in their 2026 World Cup Group E match, said Fae's team were "a bit African football" and "not so conditioned by tactics".
Asked about these comments after Ivory Coast qualified for the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history, Fae said he was disappointed by Schweinsteiger and suggested his comments were influenced by long-standing biases regarding African football.
"I think it's sad," Fae said after Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Curacao in Philadelphia on Thursday, which secured second place in Group E.
What each team need to reach World Cup knockouts
4 months ago
