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Karl Lauterbach: "It would be best if the vaccination came."
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
The German national player Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern Munich sparked a discussion with his statements about not vaccinating.
In view of the sharp rise in the number of coronavirus infections and the role model function of the soccer star, the debate has expanded beyond sport.
“It's not a good thing that he's not vaccinated.
If he says he's waiting, that's difficult, ”said the SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach on Sunday at Sport1.
He really appreciates the 26-year-old as a "really great player".
Kimmich is "one of those who campaign against Corona, he donates to poorer countries," said Lauterbach.
In March of last year, Kimmich and his Bayern colleague Leon Goretzka launched the “We Kick Corona” campaign, with which they collect donations for social institutions.
"It would be best if the vaccination came and that you don't build up a lot of pressure now," Lauterbach continues.
“It's Joshua Kimmich's own decision.
We are not allowed to apply pressure, but it would be very valuable - it has an enormous symbolic effect. "
Footballers are "in the end nothing more than - albeit well-paid - employees," said Lauterbach.
However, there is "a gap that is difficult to understand for the normal viewer: the viewer must prove 2G, but the person who is responsible for entertainment, who is at work, cannot be forced to 2G."
The long-time Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expects Kimmich to be vaccinated soon.
"I am convinced that he has also announced that he may be vaccinated soon," Rummenigge told the TV broadcaster of the "Bild" newspaper on Sunday.
"As a role model, but also as a fact, it would be better if he were vaccinated."
He himself is a "vaccination friend," said Kimmich's team colleague Thomas Müller.
He therefore hopes "that the players who have not yet been vaccinated will change their minds and take heart."
After all, they want to »get out of this corona phase.
As far as I know, vaccination is the best way to do this. "
One must "try to respect that", continued Müller, but it was "a fine line, an ethical or a moral discussion."
However, Kimmich's decision is "understandable on a human level."
"FC Bayern recommends getting vaccinated, just like I do personally, in order, among other things, to enable everyone to have a more normal life," said sports director Hasan Salihamidzic about the club's advice. But because there is no compulsory vaccination in Germany, the association "made the recommendation - and everyone can decide for themselves."
Bo Svensson, coach of the Bundesliga soccer team FSV Mainz 05, accepts Kimmich's opinion on his vaccination status. “Everyone has the right to decide for themselves. And even if we as a club recommend a vaccination: They are people and there is more to their life than just work, ”he said on Saturday in the ZDF's“ Current Sports Studio ”. The footballers reflected society, "there are also doubts as to what is the right thing to do". You don't have to share Kimmich's opinion, "but I think it's courageous and right that football players dare to speak their mind."
After the 4-0 win in the Bundesliga on Saturday against 1899 Hoffenheim on Sky TV, Kimmich had admitted that he had not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19.
The »Bild« had previously reported that five professionals at Bayern Munich were not vaccinated against Covid-19.
One of them is Kimmich.
He had "a few personal concerns, especially when it comes to the lack of long-term studies," said Kimmich.
He does not say categorically that he "will not be vaccinated at all".
It is "also very possible that I will be vaccinated in the future."
skr / dpa / sid
