In a recent press conference, Germany's coach, Julian Nagelsmann, expressed his shock and dismay at a survey conducted by the German state broadcaster ARD. The survey, which asked participants if they would prefer more white players in the national soccer team, was strongly criticized by Nagelsmann and midfielder Joshua Kimmich as being "absolutely racist."

The survey, which included 1,304 randomly selected participants, revealed that 21% of respondents expressed a preference for more players with white skin on the team. Nagelsmann condemned the survey, stating that it was madness for a public broadcaster to ask such a question.

Nagelsmann urged people to recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in sports. He emphasized that a soccer team could serve as a role model for how different cultures, religious backgrounds, and skin colors can come together to work towards common goals. Nagelsmann also highlighted the hypocrisy of complaining about other cultures while simultaneously seeking to explore and learn from them during vacations.

The coach reiterated his stance that he does not want to do without any of the players he nominated for the squad, including black players. He stressed that the German national team is inclusive and is playing the upcoming European Championship for everyone in the country. Nagelsmann stated that anyone who can play top-quality football is invited to be a national player and contribute to their country.

The broadcaster, ARD, explained that the survey was commissioned to gather measurable facts on the statements they encountered during the making of an upcoming documentary on football and diversity. According to the broadcaster, their reporter was repeatedly confronted with statements about the makeup of the team, leading them to seek objective data through the survey.

Germany is set to play Ukraine on Monday in their first warm-up game for Euro 2024, followed by a friendly match against Greece on Friday in Mönchengladbach. The team's Euro 2024 campaign will kick off on June 14 with a match against Scotland in Munich, followed by matches against Hungary on June 19 in Stuttgart and Switzerland on June 23 in Frankfurt.

As the host nation, Germany will have the opportunity to showcase the values of inclusivity and respect during the tournament. Both Nagelsmann and Kimmich expressed their hope that incidents like the recent survey will not be repeated, and that focus can remain on the importance of unity within the team and the broader society.

Note: The information provided by The Associated Press was used in the creation of this news article.