SHARE
COPY LINK
WORLD CUP 2014

FOOTBALL

Germans tackle protests at World Cup camp

German team manager Oliver Bierhoff said on Wednesday he had opened talks with people living near Germany's hotel in Brazil after locals protested against the tight security measures surrounding the football team's World Cup base.

Germans tackle protests at World Cup camp
Team manager Bierhoff talks to locals in traditional dress at Germany's training ground on Monday. Photo: DPA

A group of 100 people from the 900-strong community in Santo Andre protested angrily at a meeting in the village on Tuesday over the tight security surrounding Germany's luxury Campo Bahia hotel, which was built specially for the World Cup squad.

Stringent security checks have made life difficult for those living and working in the area and Bierhoff met residents at a local pub, which was cordoned off by police for the meeting.
   
"It seems to be that things haven't been working too well," admitted Bierhoff. "We have asked our head of security, Hendrik Grosse-Lefert, to make sure the necessary security passes are given out. We don't want the people living here to be disrupted."
   
A police unit has been assigned to protect the German team throughout their stay and Bierhoff admitted even they have been affected by the high-level of security.
   
"We had wanted to ride by bike to our training ground everyday, but unfortunately this is not possible, because the police don't allow it," Bierhoff added.
   
German Football Association (DFB) spokesman Jens Grittner said the measures, such as police escort to training, were a requirement imposed by FIFA and the Brazilian government.
   
Germany kick-off their World Cup campaign against Portugal in Salvador on Monday and also face Ghana and the United States in Group G.
 
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is expected to be fit to face Portugal in their opener having fully recovered from a shoulder injury, the team's goalkeeping coach Andreas Köpke confirmed on Wednesday.
 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

SHOW COMMENTS