Antonio Rüdiger openly addresses the problem of racism in society and is sure that his newborn child will soon have to suffer from it too.
Chelsea FC international Antonio Rüdiger has expressed his deep disappointment at renewed racist incidents in the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur (2-1) on Saturday, when the Blues defender was booed.
“Racism has won! It shows that these people have won because they can go back to the stadium,” the former Stuttgart resident said in a Sky Sport interview after the game.
It didn’t have to be him, it could be anyone else: “They won’t be punished, and at the end of the day I’m the scapegoat.” Although he will not resign, he feels left alone: “It is not that I give up or that I do not raise my voice anymore. I will always raise my voice, but in this respect I am alone.”
“No country is in control of anything”
Rüdiger had become a father on Thursday, but this fact makes him pensive in view of the recent events: “It is a catastrophe. I had a child on Thursday. One thinks. As far as society is today, at the end of the day my child will most likely suffer as well. If no action is taken, if the young children do not get a good education, a good education, a good upbringing from home, then we have lost. This is how honest we have to be.”
Rüdiger does not accept accusations that not enough is being done against racism in other countries: “Everyone should look at his own house, because when I was racially insulted in Italy, I always heard In Italy that’s normal. Everyone should start at home and then talk about others. No country is in control of anything.”
Rüdiger, who scored an unfortunate own goal against Tottenham in the 89th minute, feels support, but that’s not enough. “Support is there, but words and deeds are different,” the 26-year-old emphasised, “anyone can say sorry at the end. But only those who share the same fate as I do can understand. Whether I do an Instagram or Twitter post, what good does it do? His head is still broken and mine is too. At the end of the day, you’re alone.”