Bastian Schweinsteiger’s comments on African football ‘racist’, Ivory Coast coach says
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Schweinsteiger's remarks have been criticised in Germany and by UK-based anti-discrimination group Kick It Out. Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
By Matt SlaterJune 25, 2026 9:11 pm EDT UpdatedIvory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has strongly criticised former Bayern Munich and Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger for comments the 2014 World Cup-winner made last weekend, describing them as “racist”.
Schweinsteiger, who also played for Manchester United and Chicago Fire during a hugely successful career, was working on German broadcaster ARD’s coverage of Germany vs. Ivory Coast when he said, “African football … (is) a bit wild, a bit unorthodox and perhaps not so conditioned by tactics”.
These remarks have already been criticised in Germany and by the UK-based anti-discrimination group Kick It Out.
But nobody from within the Ivory Coast camp had responded to Schweinsteiger’s comments until Fae spoke to the media following his side’s 2-0 win over Curacao in Philadelphia on Thursday.
“I think it’s sad,” the 42-year-old Fae said.
“He was a very good player, a great player. I’ve always loved him personally. As a midfielder myself, I always liked the way he played and how he understood the game. So much so, in fact, that a friend who used to train with me knew how much I liked him and would call me ‘Bastian’.
“So when I heard this comment, I was disappointed. Disappointed in the man. When you know football as well as he does, it’s odd that he would speak in a way that we could call racist, if we’re calling a spade a spade.”
The Athletic approached Schweinsteiger for comment earlier on Thursday and did so again after Fae’s press conference.
Jurgen Klopp leaves interview over question on Bastian Schweinsteiger’s Ivory Coast comments
While working for broadcaster ARD, Schweinsteiger said that Ivory Coast played "African football", describing it as "wild" and "unorthodox".
Germany beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in Toronto last Saturday, but needed two late goals from substitute Deniz Undav to do so, the second coming in the 94th minute.
Having already beaten Ecuador 1-0, Ivory Coast sealed qualification for the World Cup’s knockout rounds for the first time in their history with the win over Curacao.
“(Schweinsteiger) must know that African football isn’t just physical,” continued Fae, who led Ivory Coast to the AFCON title in 2023.
“It’s very technical, very tactical. All I can hope is that these comments were clumsy and don’t reflect what is in mind.
“But we also know that there are lots of former players who become pundits and they’re all looking to create some controversy. He was a worldwide star and maybe he was thinking that people have forgotten him. I don’t know but we’ll move forward and try to forget what he said.”
The former Germany international has not made any comment on ARD to explain himself further but when Jurgen Klopp was asked about it by a rival German broadcaster on Wednesday, the former Liverpool boss refused to get into the debate and ended the interview.
While Ivory Coast won their third game, Germany were beaten 2-1 by Ecuador. The four-time World Cup winners still topped Group E, though, thanks to their superior goal difference.
Ivory Coast will now play whoever finishes second in Group I, France or Norway, who play each other on Friday.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
