The Ivory Coast coach accused Schweinsteiger of racism

was somewhat overshadowed by a loud media scandal. Ivorian head coach Emers Fae has publicly condemned former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's comments, suggesting they are based on long-held prejudices and could be considered racist. The incident took place on June 20, on the eve of the group stage match between Germany and Ivory Coast (which . Acting as a football expert on the German TV channel ARD, Schweinsteiger characterized the African team's game quite specifically: "They play a bit of African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, maybe not tactically conditioned either. We have to be ready for it to be unpredictable," said the world champion. After Philadelphia secured second place in Group E for Cote d'Ivoire, Emers Fae hit back at the comments. The mentor admitted that Schweinsteiger's words became a personal disappointment for him. "I think it's sad. Schweinsteiger was a very good player; I always loved him as a midfielder and the way he understood football. When I heard his comments, I was disappointed by the man. It's strange that he said that. We could call it racism if we called a spade a spade," Kermanich told reporters. Fae emphasized that modern African football is not only based on physical data: "I have no other solution but to work with things as they are. All I can show is that on the field African teams are not just physically strong, we are technically savvy and tactically strong," he added. The Ivorian coach also expressed hope that it was just a "clumsy statement" and not a deliberate stance, suggesting the comments could have been made to gain media attention. Schweinsteiger's words quickly caused a stir in the German media. However, other football figures are trying to distance themselves from the scandal. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, speaking to the press in New York, categorically refused to comment on the situation: "Now you want to continue this topic. No, no, I have no chance to answer that question. Everyone likes it, so you put me in this situation. It's not my job to make everyone like it, but it's a serious topic, and I don't even know what to say. It's one thing for Africans, it's another thing for other people, and I'm not here." Despite the scandals and the defeat by Germany, the Ivory Coast national team fulfilled its main task. Thanks to convincing victories over Ecuador and Curaçao, the team took second place in the quartet E. The wards of Emers Fae are waiting for the first match in the history of the country in the 1/16 finals of the World Cup. The game will take place on June 30 in Arlington (Texas), and the opponent of the elephants will be the winner of another group - the national team of France or Norway.