FIFA World Cup 2018: ‘Booing Doesn’t Help Anyone’ – Low on booing Ilkay Gundogan
Jun 9, 2018 at 4:21 PM
The supporters jeered Germany mid-fielder Ilkay Gundogan during Germany’s 2-1 loss to Austria in the friendly match. He was booed once again on Friday during his country’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia.
The German coach, Joachim Low has finally hit out at Germany fans for again booing the midfielder. Gundogan came on as a second-half substitute. While Low gestured the supporters to applaud, the supporters whistled.
Mesut Ozil made the visit with Ilkay Gundogan for a photo opportunity with Erdogan, who is the subject of criticism from human rights groups and exiled Turkish citizens over his government’s alleged systematic arrest of journalists, civil rights activists and political opponents.
Low, speaking to the media after the win over Saudi Arabia, said:
“He’s a member of the national team. That [booing] doesn’t help anyone.”
Germany ended a winless run of five matches in friendlies. Low was happy to break the streak:
“We were really open in defence and allowed many counter-attacks from Saudi Arabia. We will continue to improve, and when the tournament starts, we will be there.”
“I think we started well. We had good runs in the first half. Then we let up in the second half. We have given away a lot of chances. In the end, we even had a bit of luck. Next week we will be more lively and dynamic,” Low concluded.
The Gundogan incident also comes just a day after Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff had urged supporters to back the players against Saudi Arabia in a call for unity among the team and fans. Bierhoff told reporters,
“For all the irritation we have now, we are one team, also in Germany with our fans. Sure, things took the wrong direction a bit. But we are now looking ahead. And that’s why I hope that everyone, even though maybe still annoyed, withholds their anger a bit.“