Fifa World Cup: Sweden’s Jimmy Durmaz unfazed by social media race hate storm after his mistake led to last gasp Germany loss
Teammates leap to defence of substitute who gave away free-kick that led to Toni Kroos scoring a late winner for the holders
Sweden substitute Jimmy Durmaz was subjected to a storm of racial hatred and threats on social media after giving away the free kick that led to Toni Kroos’s late winner for Germany in their Group F World Cup clash on Saturday.
The stream of abuse on the 29-year-old’s Instagram account began almost as soon as the ball hit the back of the net and his teammates jumped to his defence with striker and fellow substitute John Guidetti praising his colleague.
“He ran and fought the whole game, it’s unlucky – it’s completely idiotic to subject him to hate for that,” Guidetti told reporters.
Durmaz, who was born in Sweden to Assyrian parents who had emigrated from Turkey, played down the abuse.
“It’s nothing I’m bothered about,” Durmaz said. “I’m here proud and representing my country.”