Bayern’s Leon Goretzka making political splash in Germany

[Herr Rossi]

BERLIN — Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka evidently doesn’t believe the increasingly outdated adage that sports and politics don’t mix.

The 25-year-old Bayern Munich player has gained a reputation as an ethical campaigner for taking stands against racism and anti-Semitism.

Now, he’s taking aim at the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany) political party for its continued opposition to coronavirus restrictions. Infection rates across Germany are higher where the AfD enjoys its biggest support, particularly in the eastern state of Saxony.

“The corona-crisis in particular made it more obvious what kind of party this is. For me it’s no alternative, but a shame for Germany,” Goretzka told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday.

“SchandefuerDeutschland” (shame for Germany) was trending on Twitter in Germany late Sunday, likely due to reactions from AfD members such as Malte Kaufmann, who suggested Goretzka should “shut his cheeky mouth and play football.”

By Monday, “Goretzka” was trending, too.

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/s ... story.html