Bayern Star Ditches Surname Over Nazi Slurs
Player without surname displayed on jersey due to Nazi slogans controversy - Incident Prompted by Nazi Slogans
Hey there! Time for some soccer news, but this one comes with a heavy dose of reality. Alara Şehitler, Bayern Munich player, made a bold move—saying goodbye to her surname on her jersey during international matches. Why, you ask? Well, it's all tied up with some inappropriate remarks and slurs related to Nazism and Hitler. You know, the usual Internet nonsense.
First appearance with new moniker
Recently, Alara played in Germany's 4-0 win over Scotland in the Nations League, replacing her surname with just her first name on the jersey. Both Bayern Munich and the German Football Association have been on board with this name change since the year started.
Her surname, Şehitler, means 'martyrs' and proved to be a problem at her debut last November during a 6-0 win in Switzerland. Alara, who's half-German and half-Turkish, hadn't dropped her surname yet.
Football officials are taking action
Frank Schweizerhof, from the Bavarian Football Association's hotline for violence and discrimination cases, believes that these unwanted associations provide a platform for extremists. He praises Alara's decision to take a stand against this, calling it "brave and understandable."
A rising star on the pitch
Alara, a champion from the 2022 U17 European tournament and a student, is already one of Germany's top talents. She hasn't shared her thoughts on the jersey name change yet. DFB has confirmed that no UEFA registration is required for this modification, as only the name on the jersey needs to be listed on the player's roster.
The soccer associations have jumped on board with this decision, showing their commitment to tackling racism and discrimination in sports. As for how other soccer associations are dealing with this specific case, it's still unclear. But it's definitely a step towards challenging discrimination in sports worldwide. So here's to Alara—standing up for what's right, on and off the field!
- Alara Şehitler, volitionally relinquished her surname on her jersey during international matches, citing the misuse of her name in reference to inappropriate Nazi slurs.
- Frank Schweizerhof, from the Bavarian Football Association's hotline for violence and discrimination cases, views Alara's decision to forgo her surname as especially significant, as it denies extremists a platform for those unwanted associations.
- With her decision, Alara, a rising star in German soccer, exemplifies the association's resolute stance against misuse, racism, and discrimination in sports, distinguishing herself on and off the field.
