RACE HATE ROCKS SWEDE DURMAZ
JIMMY DURMAZ became the target of race-hate threats in Sweden, blaming him for their defeat by Germany, after he conceded the free-kick that led to Toni Kroos’s winning goal on Saturday. The winger was joined by team-mates yesterday as he read out a statement condemning the racial abuse on social media. ‘I am a footballer at the highest level; being criticised is something we live with, but being called “f***ing immigrant” and “suicide bomber”, and having death threats made against me and my children is completely unacceptable,’ he said. The statement concluded with the entire squad shouting ‘F*** racism!’ Substitute Durmaz, 29, who plays for Toulouse, received a stream of invective on his Instagram account almost as soon as Kroos’s goal went in. Sweden must beat Mexico on Wednesday to be sure of advancing to the next round.