The DFB conference accepts Hermann Winkler's apology after his statements about Volodymyr Zelensky, but consequences cannot be ruled out.
May 17 update: DFB Vice President Hermann Winkler caused criticism with derogatory statements about Volodymyr Zelensky, which he followed up with an apology via Facebook. He renewed his remorse at the DFB conference in front of the regional and association presidents. With success, because the "extremely emotional" apology was accepted at the conference in Cologne, said Ronny Zimmermann, also vice president of the DFB presidium, to the German Press Agency.
| Hermann Winkler | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 22 April 1963 (aged 60 years), Grimma |
| Professions: | Graduate Engineer, Politician |
| Previous political offices (CDU): | Member of the Saxon State Parliament (1990 to 2009), Saxon Minister of State (2004 to 2007), Member of the EU Parliament (2009 to 2019) |
| DFB Vice-President since: | 2021 |
Hermann Winkler exonerated by DFB conference – other bodies could act
Winkler does not have to fear any consequences from the regional and association presidents due to his disrespectful statements about Volodymyr Zelensky. Even though there was agreement "that this post is simply not acceptable and crosses a red line", the topic for the DFB conference is closed, according to Ronny Zimmermann.
However, other DFB committees could put the case on their agenda and thus put Hermann Winkler's position up for discussion again. "I don't know if anyone else will put this on an agenda in other committees," Zimmermann said.
+DFB Vice President Hermann Winkler is facing criticism for his statements.
© IMAGO/opokupix
Scandal: DFB vice-president Winkler had called Zelensky a "former Ukrainian actor"
First reported on 16 May: Frankfurt – In recent years, there have been repeated scandals involving high-ranking DFB officials. Now the association is richer by a scandal: Vice President Hermann Winkler had made disrespectful remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, triggering a political issue. In the meantime, DFB boss Bernd Neuendorf also reacted clearly to Winkler's statements. However, the file is not yet closed.
Winkler had described Zelensky as a "former Ukrainian actor" in an Instagram post on Sunday and cited his visit to Berlin as a reason for disruption for tourists – but without mentioning the name or office of the Ukrainian president, who had actually once worked as an actor. This had caused severe irritation.
The 60-year-old Winkler's remarks were prompted by the fact that Zelensky was in Berlin on Sunday, the first time since Russia's attack on Ukraine. Subsequently, he and his people were awarded the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen.
+Caused a real scandal with statements about Volodymyr Zelenskyj (center): DFB Vice President Hermann Winkler (left). For this, his supervisor Bernd Neuendorf (right) sharply reprimanded him.
© Imago / Picture Point / Political-Moments / Schüler
DFB President Neuendorf calls statements about Zelensky "intolerable and insulting" – Winkler reacts
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf has now sharply condemned the statements of his deputy. These are "incompatible" with the principles of the DFB. The head of the association found the statements about Zelensky "intolerable and insulting" and made this very clear to Winkler in a conversation on Monday. Above all, the timing of the posting was tragic: "On the day he and the Ukrainian people were awarded the international Charlemagne Prize, the mocking symbolism towards the Ukrainian president is intensified," Neuendorf said.
Winkler subsequently also presented his view of things. The post was created in a "very emotional situation at the memorial in Treptow Park," the 60-year-old wrote on Facebook on Monday. "I wouldn't write it again. I apologize for this and also for the irritation caused. I firmly reject putting myself in the 'Putinversteher's corner' because of this." He condemned the aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but did not personally agree with everything Zelensky was doing.
NOFV also fears negative consequences because of statements by DFB vice-president Winkler
Since Winkler is also at the head of the North-East German Football Association (NOFV), he now fears damage to the image of the entire football region with its six state associations from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to Saxony. "This is not the attitude of the Berlin Football Association. Our values are different," said the head of the association, Bernd Schultz, the German Press Agency. "You don't attack a personality like a president like that," Schultz said.
The statements are also problematic in view of the fact that the German national team will play its 12th international match against Ukraine on June 1000 in Bremen. The case should be discussed on Wednesday at a conference of regional and state association presidents, the DFB announced. Winkler, who had already attracted attention several times in the past with at least questionable political statements, could be dismissed by the NOFV as DFB vice-president. (dpa/wuc/sch)
Category list image: © IMAGO/opokupix
