The Swedish Football Association intends to inform the police about the racist slurs and death threats directed against player Jimmy Durmaz, a Swedish national broadcaster reported. According to the Swedish Football Association's secretary-general, Håkan Sjöstrand, the association will stand as both plaintiff and accuser for Durmaz so that he is able to focus on playing football.
During Saturday's match against Germany, a tackle by Durmaz led to a last-minute free kick that tipped the match, which was heading to an unexpected draw, to the Bundesteam's advantage. After the match, Durmaz's Instagram account was filled with hateful comments, including threats. Among other things, Durmaz was called an "Arab devil," "suicide bomber," "Taliban" and "terrorist" and was urged to "go home."
Jimmy Durmaz, the Swedish player who caused the last minute foul leading to Germany's goal, received almost 3000 comments on his latest Instagram photo after the match. Including numerous abusive, racist comments and even some death threats. pic.twitter.com/Piywb1VbGs
— FIFA World Cup (@WorIdCupUpdates) June 23, 2018
"I have always experienced hate, they keep hating me. If you've had it for your whole life, it's no danger anymore. This is nothing I care about, I stand proud and represent my country," Durmaz himself told the Swedish newspaper Expressen.
Furthermore, Durmaz, who was born in Sweden into a Syriac Orthodox family, stressed that he was Swedish and proud to wear the national team shirt and sport the Swedish flag. He emphasized that as a professional footballer, he is prepared to take the blame for his performance on the pitch, but found the racist slurs fully unacceptable.
READ MORE: Sweden Coach Says Germany Players' Behavior After Final Whistle 'Rude'
Following the incident, many Swedish politicians and celebrities rushed to voice their support for Durmaz.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven called the attacks "pitiful," venturing that the haters "haven't understood anything." "In Sweden, we win together and we lose together," he told Expressen.
Support for Durmaz was also voiced by Christian Democrats leader Ebba Thor-Busch and Greens leader Gustav Fridolin, whereas Conservative leader Ulf Kristersson argued that the haters "acted like swine," which made him "both sad and furious."
Durmaz also received the support of Swedish mixed martial arts star Reza Madadi, comedian and TV personality Özz Nûjen and rap and reggae artist Timbuktu.
#Sweden's Jimmy #Durmaz, surrounded by teammates, speaks to media after torrent of racist abuse against him on social media following game against Germany. Condemns the abuse and says: "I am Swedish, and it's with pride that I wear this shirt and this flag." #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/pAB0R3ZakW
— Christian Christensen (@ChrChristensen) June 24, 2018
The entire team Sweden expressed its support for Jimmy Durmaz. During a training session on Sunday, the whole team rallied in support of Durmaz chanting "F**k racism," a phrase used by the player himself earlier in the day.
The Swedish team did an impressive performance against the world champions and top ranked Germany yesterday but I am even more impressed by how #Durmaz and the team respond to bigotry and hatred. #SayNoToRacism https://t.co/GQ8JAP3OEp
— Jesper Arin (@jeppohoj) June 24, 2018
Jimmy Durmaz (29) plays as a winger for French club Toulouse and Sweden's national team.
