“We are Team Diversity – because it doesn’t matter where you come from” is the current campaign slogan for VfL Wolfsburg’s seventh diversity matchday, as the club once again takes a stand for tolerance and against all forms of marginalisation. VfL star Yannick Gerhardt, who has already taken a clear stance against the far right on several occasions in the past, fully recognises this. In this interview, the midfielder talks about the political climate in Germany, the atmosphere in the dressing room and his special role as a footballer.
Yannick Gerhardt, our society appears to be increasingly fractured. The spread of right-wing movements worries many people. How do you deal with this?
Yannick: “Of course, I notice the mood in Germany. I’m still optimistic and hopeful that we’ll continue to hold together as a strong democracy. I think it‘s important to clearly distance yourself from discrimination of any kind and, for example, as a footballer who is also in the public eye, to set a positive example, express your opinion and stand up for democratic values.”
Is it also a topic of discussion in the changing room?
Yannick: “Yes, a football team is like normal society. There are different interests. Obviously, you speak to a few others about the political situation, but we’re all agreed on one point: a football team is a good example when it comes to bringing together people of different backgrounds and skin colours. Only your performance matters on the pitch. You can be judged or even criticised for that, but it’s never about where someone comes from or what someone looks like.”
