EUROPE-MIGRANTS/GUARDIOLA Bayern soccer coach Guardiola proud of German response to migrant crisis

Record ID: 141069

  • Title: EUROPE-MIGRANTS/GUARDIOLA Bayern soccer coach Guardiola proud of German response to migrant crisis
  • Date: 15th September 2015
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (SEPTEMBER 15, 2015) (REUTERS) BAYERN MUNICH'S CATALAN SOCCER COACH, PEP GUARDIOLA, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE)(German) BAYERN MUNICH'S CATALAN SOCCER COACH, PEP GUARDIOLA, SAYING (ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL TRANSLATION): "I have to say that the stand of Chancellor (Angela) Merkel showed how welcoming Germany is. There are many refugees at this moment in Germany, in stadiums, not only in Munich, but in the stadium of Dortmund there have been refugees. Definitely it is not a simple problem. There is no easy solution. But I believe that the stance of Mrs. Merkel shows that we are taking the first step. I hope that many more such acts will follow. As a Catalan, I am very proud to live in Germany. Let's not forget that we Catalans were also once refugees and France and others took us in. Therefore I am very proud of how Germany is handling the situation. I hope it continues this way." GUARDIOLA LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 30th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5JJ9MKKD970TTE6DK65JBF9D4
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Bayern Munich soccer coach Pep Guardiola welcomed on Tuesday (September 15) the response of his club and of Germany to the migrant crisis in Europe, saying he was proud to live in the country.
    Bayern has pledged one million euros (0.72 million pounds) to help migrants and will set up a training camp for those arriving in Munich. The senior team's players were also accompanied on to the pitch by migrant children at their home game against Augsburg on Saturday (September 12), and the club is planning a friendly fixture to raise further funds.
    German has allowed thousands of migrants to cross into Germany via Hungary and Austria, with Munich's train station one of the main points of entry.
    Guardiola, who is from Catalonia, told a news conference in Athens ahead of Bayern's Champions League match with Olympiakos: "I have to say that the stand of Chancellor (Angela) Merkel showed how welcoming Germany is. There are many refugees at this moment in Germany, in stadiums, not only in Munich, but in the stadium of Dortmund there have been refugees. Definitely it is not a simple problem. There is no easy solution. But I believe that the stance of Mrs. Merkel shows that we are taking the first step. I hope that may more such acts will follow.
    "As a Catalan, I am very proud to live in Germany. Let's not forget that we Catalans were also once refugees, and France and others took us in. Therefore I am very proud of how Germany is handling the situation. I hope it continues this way."
    The wave of people arriving in Germany sparked an outpouring of sympathy and acts of solidarity in the country from clubs and football fans alike.
    Banners with 'Refugees welcome' or 'Welcome to Germany' have been visible in almost every soccer crowd, while many teams have also invited migrants to watch their games from the stands.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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