Ex-German forward Wagner apologizes for offensive remark
ANKARA (AA) – Former German forward and football pundit Sandro Wagner has apologized for his disparaging remark during a 2022 FIFA World Cup match when he characterized a traditional Qatari men’s garment as “bathrobes.”
“It was an ill-considered saying with an inappropriate remark that I would be better off not saying. If anyone felt offended – sorry, that was zero point zero my intention,” said Wagner, 35, who previously played for Hertha Berlin, Hoffenheim, and Bayern Munich.
During Sunday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup match between Germany and Spain, Wagner said: “I thought before that the whole corner (of the stadium) was full of German fans. Then I realized it was the Qatari bathrobes.”
The garment in question was actually a “thawb,” a traditional long-sleeved white robe.
The German national team’s home jersey color is white, so its fans often wear white to games.
Wagner scored five goals in eight international caps for Germany before retiring from the game in 2020.
On Sunday, Germany drew with Spain 1-1 in a World Cup Group E match at Al Bayt Stadium in the Qatari city of Al Khor.
Prejudice, racism and Islamophobia targeting the host country have been very evident in Qatar and in the media as it covers the grand sporting event.
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