DFB boss Bernd Neuendorf has sharply condemned the disparaging statements made by his Vice President Hermann Winkler about the Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelenskyj and announced further talks.
Neuendorf said he thought Winkler’s actions were incompatible with the principles of the German Football Association. The DFB President found the statements about Selenskyj unbearable and insulting and made this very clear to Winkler in a conversation, it said.
The DFB announced that the case should be discussed further on Wednesday at a conference of regional and state association presidents. In a post on Sunday, Winkler described Selenskyj as a “former Ukrainian actor” without mentioning the name and position of the Ukrainian president.
DFB Vice Winkler apologized
Zelenskyj was in Berlin on Sunday and arrived in Germany for the first time since Russia attacked Ukraine. He and his people were then honored with the Charlemagne Prize in Aachen.
“On the day that he and the Ukrainian people were honored with the international Charlemagne Prize, the taunting symbolism towards the Ukrainian president is reinforced,” Neuendorf said of Winkler’s statements.
Winkler announced on Monday via Facebook that he would not write the entry again. “I apologize for that and also for the irritation that has arisen. I firmly reject putting myself in the “Putin-understanding corner” because of this,” wrote the 60-year-old. He condemns the aggression of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but does not personally agree with everything Zelenskyy does.