DFB talents are shaken
“If we lose, we are the blacks”
6/23/2023 12:26 p.m
The start of the European Championship for the U21 footballers against Israel (1: 1) is overshadowed by a scandal of racism. DFB coach Antonio Di Salvo sharply condemned the insults against Germany U21 internationals Youssoufa Moukoko and Jessic Ngankam.
“It’s absurd, it’s a farce when people anonymously comment on the Internet and racially insult our boys. I also protect our boys 1000 percent, who love to play for Germany, who are Germans, who give their all too for the country,” said Di Salvo. An hour after the game, Moukoko reveals his feelings. The Borussia Dortmund striker, who missed a penalty, becomes very emotional. The statements from the mixed zone in the wording:
The tournament could have started perfectly for you, after three minutes you missed the penalty. What does that do to you?
Youssoufa Moukoko (18, U21 international): Of course it does something to someone. Actually, I shoot safely, but unfortunately the goalkeeper was better today. There are days like that in football. Tomorrow you’re the hero, today you’re the fool. Now we have to do better in the second game and score goals up front.
Can you shrug off something like that easily?
Yes, yes, but on Instagram I get comments that are ugly. If we win, we’re all Germans, and if we lose, then these monkey comments come. Jessic (Ngankam, editor’s note) watched, I watched. I feel sorry for him because he also missed a penalty. Things like that just don’t belong in football, we don’t shoot extra. When you get messages like this, it’s disgusting.
Have you ever experienced anything like this?
Yes, yes, personally I have experienced this for a long time. Normally I’m not interested in that, but on social media it’s just more extreme. It hurt me this time.
What exactly happened?
People who have nothing to do then insult on Instagram. I always say: If we win, we’re the Germans, if we lose, we’re the blacks or whatever. I think that’s stupid, because we’re all the same, we all have the same blood.
How have you been offended?
Everything imaginable. It’s slowly enough. It’s about time to take a stand against it.
Is withdrawing from social media an option for you, or would that send the wrong signal?
That would be the wrong way. You have to fight these people, no matter how. There are always idiots. But there are also enough people who understand, even if you miss five penalties. Sometimes the football god is just not on your side.
How is Jessic Ngankam?
He’s just disappointed. I encouraged him to just keep his head down. We’re a team, a bunch of guys who just want to play football.
Would you have liked to have taken the second penalty too?
I’m always brave. If they had given me the ball, I would have shot again. I’m not afraid.
Recorded by Henrik Mertens, sid