The Ivory Coast's historic World Cup knockout win over Curacao has sparked controversy after German football legend Bastian Schweinsteiger made comments about the team's playing style.
Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae expressed disappointment with Schweinsteiger's remarks, calling them 'clumsy' and 'based on long-standing biases' about African football.
Fae acknowledged that Schweinsteiger was a 'very good player' and expressed hope that his comments were just a 'clumsy statement' rather than a reflection of deeper prejudices.
However, Fae emphasized that African teams are capable of technical and tactical play, citing his own team's success in the AFCON.
Schweinsteiger's comments drew criticism from the German media, with former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp refusing to engage with the topic.
Klopp stated that he didn't want to 'create some controversy' and that he didn't know what was 'appropriate to say' when it came to the sensitive topic of racism in football.
The Ivory Coast is set to face France or Norway in the first knockout round, while Germany is projected to face Paraguay in a match that will take place on June 29 in Boston.
The controversy surrounding Schweinsteiger's comments has highlighted the ongoing debate about racism and prejudice in the world of football.
The Ivory Coast's historic win and Schweinsteiger's comments will undoubtedly continue to be a major talking point in the lead-up to the next round of matches.
