Germany boss Loew promises to keep his hands away from his nether regions
Coach has been ridiculed after interfering with himself on the touchline - then savouring the aroma - live on TV in last game
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Germany coach Joachim Loew has promised to be on his best behaviour after being caught live on television having an indiscreet scratch of his genitals during the world champions’ opening Euro 2016 win over Ukraine.
Loew has been the target of widespread mocking on social media after slipping his hand into the front of his trousers during the 2-0 win in Lille, with the unfortunate incident dubbed ‘trousers-gate’ by the German press.
“I’ve seen these images the next day. I’m sorry for it, of course you do something unconsciously when you are full of adrenaline,” said the World Cup-winning coach.
“I’m trying to behave properly from now on.”
Of more pressing concern for Loew is stopping Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and his Poland side in a battle for top stop in Group C in Paris on Thursday.
Poland beat Germany for the first time in their history in qualifying and earned their first ever win in a European Championship finals when they edged out Northern Ireland 1-0 on Sunday.
However, Loew insisted he won’t rush back Lewandowski’s new Bayern Munich teammate, centre-back Mats Hummels, to deal with the threat posed by the Bundesliga’s top scorer.
#Poldi brought the house down at #Evian #DFB presser Tuesday, as he defused controversy over #Löw video. #hosengate pic.twitter.com/c4V78gzYEj— DW Sports (@dw_sports) June 14, 2016
“He has trained twice with the team, but for me it is very important to see the final training tonight,” added Loew.
“We will talk to him then we will see if he can play.
“At least concerning Hummels I won’t run any risk, if there are minor problems I won’t run the risk in the second game of such a tournament.”
Germany face an emotional return to the Stade de France just seven months after being caught up in last November’s terror attacks in Paris.
Die Mannschaft were forced to spend a traumatic night in the dressing rooms at France’s national stadium when a series of jihadist attacks across Paris left 130 dead on a night they faced the French in a friendly.
Loud explosions could be heard during the match as three suicide bombers unsuccessfully attempted to get into the stadium before blowing themselves up outside and killing one man.
German defender Jerome Boateng, who played that night, caused a stir when he announced his wife and five-year-old twins would not be travelling to France to watch him play because he believed “the risk is simply too big”.
However, midfielder Sami Khedira insisted the German players’ thoughts remained with the families of those killed on that night rather than any fears for their own safety.
“It is not nice to have seen such a situation,” said the Juventus midfielder.
“We are very safe here, we have never had the feeling there would be any menace, but we have to think about the victims and their families.
“Personally I have felt very safe here. Tomorrow will be a nice game and I am looking forward to it.”
