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Alfred Gíslason in January 2021
Photo:
Marius Becker / dpa
Joachim Löw has encouraged handball national coach Alfred Gíslason after a threatening letter with racist content.
“I can hardly imagine what such a threat could make in a person.
Alfred, me and many people are by your side! «, Wrote the national soccer coach Löw in a statement distributed by the German Football Association (DFB) on Twitter.
Gíslason was "a terrific national coach, and we are proud of you and your team," said the DFB post.
The Icelander published excerpts from a letter addressed to him on his Instagram account on Tuesday.
"We are all German and would also like a German coach for the handball team," it says.
In the event that he does not resign, he will be visited on his property - "Let's see what happens to your property," it said.
The 61-year-old reacted in horror to the letter.
“Nice letter in the mailbox today!
After a total of almost 30 years in Germany, the first time I was threatened in this great country, «wrote Gíslason in a comment.
When looking for the sender, Gislason also called on his followers to help by publishing the envelope and writing next to it: "Maybe someone will recognize the handwriting of my" fan "...?"
Women's national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg also showed solidarity with the Icelander.
“I have great respect for your openness and your courage to go public with your hostility.
The cowardly attack on you is disgusting, «wrote the former national soccer player on Twitter.
The German Handball Federation (DHB) condemned the racist incident on Tuesday.
“We are appalled and strongly condemn this attack.
We guarantee Alfred every support.
In terms of sport, he is our rock solid, now we are humanly his solid rock, «said DHB President Andreas Michelmann.
The association had previously left no doubt about the support for Gíslason via Twitter.
»Alfred Gíslason is our national coach - the heart of our team, with passion and absolute identification for our German national team.
We are grateful to have him with us & defend ourselves against any form of racism & xenophobia. «, It said in the message.
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