A visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to the Union Berlin stadium has not gone down well with the supporters of the German Bundesliga club. Some German media also criticized the current frontrunner for the reception of the controversial Hungarian government leader, who opposes the reception of refugees and made it clear earlier this year that European races should not mix with non-European races.
The fans were especially angry. Orbán should never have been allowed on Union grounds because his visit is inconsistent with the “obligation to uphold the democratic and humanitarian values enshrined in the club’s founding statutes”.
Orbán himself exuberantly shared photos of the stadium meeting on social media. He met Hungarian midfielder Andras Schäfer, among others, and was offered a Union shirt.
Union felt compelled to defend itself against the criticism. “It was not a political visit, but a private matter,” said a Union Berlin spokesman. “There was an official letter from the Hungarian embassy asking for a private meeting with a Hungarian player. We granted this request. We have not received it officially.”