London (dpa) - International player Joshua Kimmich from FC Bayern Munich has called on his football colleagues to become even more active against racism after the recent incidents.
"You get the impression that it is very much at the moment," said Kimmich in London before the Champions League game of the German record champions at Chelsea. "We players already have a long reach to fight racism. Football can be a role model for society, it embodies tolerance, respect, diversity and cohesion," the 25-year-old explained his call.
Kimmich had been mentioned in the press conference before the first knockout round match against DFB colleague Antonio Rüdiger from Chelsea. Rudiger faced hostility in the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. There were boos against the 26-year-old, whose mother comes from Sierra Leone and whose father comes from Germany.
"Racism has won!" Rüdiger said after the London derby, visibly moved in a television interview. The German international described the current situation in the football stadiums as extremely worrying. "It is a disaster," said Rüdiger. For him, incidents such as the allegedly racist act of violence by Hanau with several deaths with a migration background are "the end product".
"I do not hope that racism has won," said Kimmich to Rüdiger's depressing statement. "We players shouldn't give up." It was a shame that some viewers misused football as a platform. He felt with Rüdiger. Kimmich appreciates the public revolt of the DFB participation against racism. "Toni has an opinion and stands for it," said the Bayern professional.
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