Qatar sponsorship: Leon Goretzka takes on Bayern bosses
Created: 2022-11-09 13:12
By: Florian Schimak
Leon Goretzka is something like the political mouthpiece in German football.
Now he has also spoken out against FC Bayern sponsoring Qatar.
Munich – When the DFB squad for the 2022 World Cup is announced on Thursday, the name of Leon Goretzka should also appear.
The FC Bayern midfielder is not only almost irreplaceable in sport, both in the club and in the German national team.
The 27-year-old has long had an important standing beyond the field.
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Name: Leon Goretzka |
Birthday: February 06, 1995 (27 years) |
Club: FC Bayern Munich (since 2018) |
Position: Center Midfield |
Internationals: 44 games (14 goals) |
Leon Goretzka has "oppressive feeling" after homophobic statements by World Cup ambassador
Goretzka can be described with a clear conscience as a political mouthpiece in German football.
Born in Bochum, he addresses social issues in public.
For example, his goal celebration at the EM 2021 in front of the Hungarian fan block was more than a statement.
His clear words on Tuesday evening in the Allianz Arena after Bayern's 6-1 gala against Werder Bremen made people sit up and take notice.
When Goretzka was asked about the homophobic statements made by World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman in the ZDF documentary "Geheimsache Qatar", Goretzka spoke of an "oppressive feeling".
World Cup 2022 in Qatar: Leon Goretzka would have "desired another country"
In the World Cup host country, "an image of man from another millennium prevails," said Goretzka in the mixed zone of the Allianz Arena: "That's not what we want to stand for and what we set an example." Statements like Salman's are "absolutely unacceptable".
A German footballer had never made such a clear statement before.
In the documentary mentioned, which ran on ZDF on Tuesday evening at the same time as the Bayern game, Goretzka himself has his say.
"Personally, I would have wished for another country to play a World Cup when I was in my prime," says the Bayern star in an interview with reporter Jochen Breyer.
"It is a big mistake that the criteria did not include that there is a functioning human rights situation in this country," Goretzka criticized the World Cup award to the emirate: "Of course that's something that pisses us off."
Leon Goretzka would like FC Bayern to end Qatar sponsorship.
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Why did FIFA give the tournament to Qatar in the first place?
Goretzka doesn't know either.
"I don't think it was because of the tradition of football history in the country," said the midfield star.
Goretzka is aware of his responsibility in the coming weeks.
"I want to use the stage," he continues. "It will be our job to use the world attention that there is at a tournament like this to convey the values that we care about - and not only that Qatar cares about are."
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Leon Goretzka announces signs at the 2022 World Cup: "Must be optimally visible"
Goretzka does not want to answer the form in which this should take place: “You will see.
But I can assure you that we will do everything we can to make it happen.
Ideally, the sign must be as visible as possible.”
In German football, Qatar is not just a question of the World Cup.
This has also left scorched earth at FC Bayern since the scandal at the 2021 general meeting at the latest.
The desert state is a sponsor of the record champions, and in January the team travels to the training camp in Doha.
"It's true that we have the Qatar logo on our sleeves," says Goretzka. "I think the contract will expire next year.
I'm pretty sure that the club will accept this in the interests of the club and the members."
Qatar sponsorship: Goretzka takes on Bayern bosses
So the Bayern star is in favor of ending Qatar sponsorship?
"Personally, I wouldn't mind," said Goretzka.
How well does this statement go down with the FCB bosses?
Uli Hoeneß and Thomas Müller had recently been less critical in this regard.
At this year's AGM of FC Bayern, Herbert Hainer dodged the call for the end of the collaboration.
"I can't answer that question with a yes or no today," said the FCB president at the time.
Oliver Kahn postponed the decision.
"We will continue to discuss the issue intensively after the World Cup and find a solution for FC Bayern," announced the CEO in the Audi Dome in October.
In contrast to the bosses, Goretzka has now expressed himself clearly.
Whatever the decision, one thing is certain: Leon Goretzka has sharpened his profile again before the World Cup.
(smk)
