World Cup scandal about the "bathrobe" sentence: ZDF expert Sandro Wagner apologizes now

Created: 11/29/2022, 2:42 p.m

By: Patrick Freiwah

TV expert Sandro Wagner (right) got verbally in trouble during the World Cup match between Germany and Spain.

© Screenshot: ZDF

In the World Cup duel between Germany and Spain, TV expert Sandro Wagner makes a flippant comment about Qatar.

The result is accusations of racism.

Update from November 28, 2:45 p.m .:

Sandro Wagner has apologized for his “bathrobe” saying.

"It was an ill-considered saying with an inappropriate remark that I could have saved myself," the native of Munich was quoted as saying by ZDF: "If someone felt attacked – sorry, that was 0.0 my intention."

Ex-national player Wagner had caused criticism on social networks during the game between Germany and Spain on Sunday: "I thought before that the whole curve is full of Germany fans.

Then I realized that these are Qatari bathrobes," said the 34-year-old, referring to the traditional Arabic robe called Thawb.

Wagner causes a World Cup scandal with a “bathrobe” sentence – ZDF reacts

First report from November 28, 11:11 a.m.:

Doha/Munich - With commitment, will and fighting spirit, the German national team fought for a draw (1-1) against Spain in the second group match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (press reviews).

On the edge of the top game of two former world champions, however, a flippant statement by TV expert Sandro Wagner caused trouble, sparking a new racism debate, as reported by tz.de.

During the World Cup match, ZDF commentator Oliver Schmidt and Wagner talked about the number of DFB supporters in the al-Bayt stadium German fans, that's when I realized they were Qatari bathrobes."

Germany - Spain: Wagner talks about "bathrobes" - cultural imperialism?

What football expert Wagner means by “bathrobes” is actually the “Thawb”, a traditional white cotton robe that the Qataris wear like millions of other Muslims on the Arabian Peninsula.

It only took a short time before the wave of outrage on the Internet began to gather momentum - and criticism of the co-commentator's flippant comment poured in via Twitter.

The comments make it clear that Wagner and the public broadcasters fall on their feet with the negative reporting about Qatar and the fuss about the mouth gesture at the opening game of the DFB selection.

Motto: Those who make mistakes themselves should not point the finger at others.

A selection of reactions accusing Wagner and ZDF of cultural imperialism, disregard for religion and racism:

• “When a Sandro Wagner talks about “Qatarian bathrobes” and means traditional Arab clothing, then the mendacity of the debate about tolerance/respect in recent weeks becomes apparent.

  Mixture of arrogance disregard for religion, tradition, culture of other peoples!”

• "Here you can hear the racist Sandro Wagner "Qatarian bathrobes" again.

  It's called "Thwab".

  @ZDF

  
  

  has hired racists as commentators again.

  Wait for the statement from

  
  

  @ZDF @heuteshow @ZDFheute"

• “Are we seriously at a level where you have to explain why it is at least disrespectful and orientalist when a commentator on ZDF calls traditional clothing “bathrobes”?

  Tens of millions of people in the Arab world dress like this.

  Awkward."

• The German beach volleyball player Karla Borger also commented on Twitter and quoted the polarizing TV expert: "Thought the curve would be full of German fans, but it was only the bathrobes of the Qataris." Sandro Wagner in @sportstudio"

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One of the reactions includes a video recording of Wagner's statement, which reporter colleague Schmidt then goes into more in depth, saying that it's not just people with Germany jerseys in the stands:

Sandro Wagner with TV dropouts at the World Cup in Qatar: "It must not happen," explains ZDF

The criticized Sandro Wagner has not yet commented on the verbal slip at the World Cup in Qatar, but ZDF jumps into the breach.

The TV broadcaster also explained via Twitter in response to one of the reviews: "Unfortunately, Sandro Wagner's statement about the Thawb happened during an emotional phase of the game.

It's not allowed.

We will discuss that," the TV broadcaster said in a statement.

It is not uncommon for Wagner to cause a stir on the internet: when analyzing a Bundesliga game, the SpVgg Unterhaching coach sometimes oscillated between genius and madness.