Germany defender Mats Hummels fans fans were wrong to jeer Ilkay Gundogan during the World Cup warm-up clash with Saudi Arabia.
Manchester City midfielder Gundogan was whistled upon his introduction as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 win, having received a similar reception in the loss to Austria the previous week.
Gundogan and Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, both of Turkish descent, have attracted criticism for their recent meeting in London with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is the subject of scrutiny from human rights groups and exiled Turkish citizens over his government’s treatment of journalists, civil rights activists and political opponents.
The German Football Federation reprimanded the pair for being exploited by an “election campaign stunt” and the BayArena crowd voiced their disapproval on Friday.
Hummels, however, encouraged supporters to move on from the episode and unite behind the team as they attempt to defend their World Cup crown in Russia.
“You shouldn’t be booing Germany internationals during a home game. Especially when there is such a good atmosphere, like it was at the beginning,” Hummels told reporters