Germany FA have decided to take action amid reports of Anthony Rudiger’s link to terrorist organisations, MySportDab reports.
Rudiger sparked reactions in the German media when he posted a social media footage on his Instagram handle, observing Ramadan by lifting up the index finger of his right hand while kneeling on a spread mat with his Muslim robe.
While the former Chelsea star must have embarked on a sublime spiritual gesture as regularly observed by Moslems in the holy month of Ramadan, his lifting of the index finger of his right hand stoked reactions in the German media.
Popular German journalist and BILD reporter Julian Reichelt was among the staunch critics of Rudiger
Reichelt took to his social media to call out the player for showing off a sign with a strong affinity to Islamists and terrorist groups.
According to him, the index finger sign is a popular sign used by terrorist Islamist groups to celebrate murders.
Reichelt went on to blast German authorities for turning a blind eye to Anthony Rudiger’s gesture because he is ‘an important national team player.’
The BILD editor added that he will never be intimidated or cowered from speaking out against the public display of such ‘provocative’ gestures which strongly align with Islamist traditions.
“For everyone who doesn’t want to recognize Anthony Rudiger’s Islamic greeting, that index finger is the ‘IS finger,’ and a clear sign of Islamism.
“Rudiger consciously showed off the greetings of fanatics. This is not an innocent spiritual gesture as it appears,” Reichelt added.
Soeben habe ich aus den Medien erfahren, dass Antonio Rüdiger und der DFB mich angezeigt haben, weil ich hier darauf aufmerksam gemacht habe, dass Rüdiger auf einem Instagram-Post den Gruß der Islamisten zeigt. Diese Geste ist in den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten von Terroristen… pic.twitter.com/6fX1GYN4VR
— Julian Reichelt (@jreichelt) March 25, 2024
Reacting to Reichelt high-brow criticisms, Rudiger, and his lawyers, including the German FA have filed a complaint in defense of the player, describing Reichelt’s claims as an ‘inflammatory hate speech.’
Rudiger refused to comment on the fallout when he was grilled during Germany’s post-match press conference ahead of the Chile friendly.
He is expected to return to action with the Julian Nagelsmann-led team after helping the side to a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over France in the first friendly.
