Controversy surrounds Swiss commentator’s alleged racist remarks about Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, sparking debate and calls for clarification.
The Accusation and context
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has found himself at the centre of a controversy involving alleged racist comments from Swiss football commentator Sascha Ruefer.
The revelation, initially reported by Wochenzeitung, has stirred up heated discussions among football fans and the media in Switzerland.
According to the Wochenzeitung article, Ruefer said during the recording of the series “The Pressure Game” that Xhaka “is many things, but he is not Swiss.”
However, this statement was removed from the final version of the docu-series, as Ruefer reportedly requested the deletion due to concerns that the remark could be perceived as racist.
Ruefer’s previous comments on Xhaka
The Swiss commentator reportedly has a history of criticising Xhaka, particularly in relation to his role as captain of the Swiss national team.
Following the 2018 World Cup match between Switzerland and Serbia, Ruefer called Xhaka’s double-headed eagle gesture “stupid and stupid,” sparking a nationwide debate.
In a more recent match against Serbia during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Ruefer questioned whether Xhaka was fit to continue as the national team’s captain.
The emergence of the alleged racist comment has further fuelled the controversy surrounding Ruefer’s criticisms of Xhaka.
Several Swiss media outlets, including Blick and 20 Minutes, have picked up on the story, prompting a response from SRF, the Swiss broadcaster that employs Ruefer.
SRF editor-in-chief Susan Schwaller defended Ruefer, claiming that the comment was taken out of context and that Ruefer was referring to Xhaka as an athlete, not as a person.
Calls for clarification
scoring the team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on April 01, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Despite Schwaller’s explanation, some have called for the release of the full, unedited version of Ruefer’s interview in “The Pressure Game” to provide complete context and definitively determine whether the statement carries any racist undertones.
As an important player for both Arsenal and the Swiss national team, Granit Xhaka remains a prominent figure in football, and the alleged racist comments have drawn attention to the ongoing issue of racism in sports.
While the full context of Ruefer’s remarks remains uncertain, the controversy highlights the need for responsible reporting and commentary in the world of football.