Freiburg coach Christian Streich says it’s important that people aren’t defamed because of their language or nation. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa. (Source: dpa)
Freiburg (dpa) – football coach Christian Streich from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg calls for peaceful coexistence with citizens of Russian origin.
“It’s extremely important not to defame people who speak a certain language or come from a certain nation. It’s not their fault that they speak that language,” Streich said of an attack on a Russian-Polish supermarket in the past week in the Ruhr area. “It just matters what personality that person has.”
With regard to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the 56-year-old, who studied history among other things to become a teacher, warns to consider both sides. “It’s a terrible war that should never have broken out, and for which Russia’s President Putin is responsible,” said Streich. But one must also take into account the efforts of the USA to expand NATO to the east, explained Streich.
“The only thing that can help us now is a dialogue between Ukraine and Russia to bring about peace as quickly as possible. America or other countries should hold back in some areas.”
The sports club has launched several aid projects for the game on Saturday against VfL Wolfsburg (3.30 p.m. / Sky). There should be a deposit cup collection campaign, the proceeds of which will go to Freiburg’s sister city of Lviv (Lemberg) in the Ukraine. The fan community also supports an aid transport to the Ukraine.