The football expert Sandro Wagner is in the pillory – because of lese majeste, you might think. With all the problems that German citizens are currently confronted with, the mainstream sees it as its top priority to report on a Greens-critical dig from a football commentator. Wagner had dared to fire a pointed remark at Robert Habeck regarding the hot topic of speed limits on freeways. The outrage on linkstwitter and in the house and court media was not long in coming.
A comment by Andrea Waldner
The former national player works for the streaming service DAZN, as an expert and co-commentator he accompanies the Champions League games. Sandro Wagner is known for not mincing his words. During FC Bayern’s round of 16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, after a sprint duel with Parisian Nuno Mendes, he praised Bayern attacker Kingsley Coman’s speed with the words: “It’s left lane, German autobahn without speed limit, which I hope It stays that way, dear Mr. Habeck.” Such a harmless flippant statement – which should speak to the heart of the majority of motorists – is apparently taboo these days. Targeting Habeck personally seems to fall under insult to majesty.
Of course, it didn’t take long before the supporters of the Greens, who are known to have serious problems with those who think differently, vented their displeasure:
Sandro #Wagner uses the moderation @DAZN_DEto against that #speed limit to agitate on freeways. “I hope it stays that way, sir #Habeck“.
Are you still okay, Herr Wagner?
How do you feel about that, dear DAZN team? #FCBPSG
— Dr. Ole Wintermann 🇪🇺 (@olewin) March 8, 2023
Sandro Wagner on DAZN: “Coman is in the left lane on a German autobahn with no speed limit – which hopefully stays that way.” No objection from colleagues. A pity. Or:🤮
— Moritz Lang (@Sky_Moritz) March 8, 2023
The mainstream, which, as is well known, fully supports the green agenda, jumped to the side of the greens: Wagner “agges” fans, one reads in the Express, “reaps Shitstorm” on Tag24. His sayings “cause trouble”, one finds at T-Online. A Green woman notes on Twitter that Wagner “unsolicitedly campaigned against the introduction of a speed limit” (oh horror!) and that Robert Habeck (presumably holy among the Greens) is not responsible for it. She has probably forgotten that he was in favor of a speed limit and would have liked to push it through in the wake of the energy crisis. Overall, the dismay at a political statement in football seems very strange, as left-green protested during the World Cup in Qatar the importance of this with regard to the rainbow bandages of the German players.
Sandro Wagner also received a lot of approval – and the chronically outraged a lot of malice:
Sandro wagner man of the match! … just world class Thank you!
Approved for launch in the mainstream starting tomorrow, although he speaks from the soul of the majority #DAZN
– Joko73 (@Joko73J) March 8, 2023
Is Twitter seriously upset about Sandro Wagner because he cracked a joke about the speed limit?
Sometimes I wonder how some people are viable so quickly as to sob in spiteful wails.
— HitchTheHitch (@HitchTheHitch2) March 8, 2023
Linksgrünvertiffe triggered because Sandro Wagner live at #DAZN von #Habeck requests that there is no #speed limit on autobahns in Germany.
Splendid!#FCBPSG
— J0e M0nt4n4 ⚠️ (@JoeMontana99) March 8, 2023
I have no idea what Sandro Wagner said, but if it triggers the left so much that they pour a shitstorm on him, then it must be right. #FCBPSG
— Niklas🇩🇪🇮🇱🇹🇼🇺🇸 (@TheHeavencraft) March 8, 2023
Wagner added later during the game. After congratulating all viewers on International Women’s Day, he asked: “Is there actually an International Men’s Day?”
At the World Cup in Qatar, the TV expert had to take criticism after saying: “Fans are back too. I’ve also seen a few Germany fans cheering loudly. Earlier I thought the whole curve is Germany, full of Germany fans. Then I realized that these are Qatari bathrobes.”