Augsburg:Germany Germany's head coach Jurgen Klopp has labeled claims that the national football squad is "not white enough" as "complete nonsense" following criticism from far-right politicians regarding the team's racial composition.

According to Anadolu Agency, Klopp addressed these remarks during a press conference ahead of Germany's UEFA Nations League match against Serbia. He refuted comments circulating on social media questioning whether the team was "not German enough" or "not white enough," dismissing them as baseless.

The controversy arose after Germany's unexpected loss to Greece in Augsburg, marking Klopp's first home defeat as the national coach. This led to criticism from members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party concerning the number of non-white players in the team. AfD lawmaker Kay Gottschalk posted images comparing West Germany's all-white 1990 World Cup team with the current squad, which included eight non-white players.

Klopp emphasized the harmony within the German squad, highlighting their ability to coexist despite diverse backgrounds. "The group we have here together couldn't be better in terms of how they get along," he stated, suggesting that the world could learn from the inclusivity seen in sports dressing rooms.

The German national team has previously faced racism controversies. In 2018, Mesut Ozil, a player of Turkish descent, retired from international football, citing experiences of "racism and disrespect." Similarly, in 2016, remarks by former AfD deputy leader Alexander Gauland about Germany defender Jerome Boateng, whose father is Ghanaian, drew significant backlash.