Toni Kroos

Kroos criticised players joining the Saudi league primarily for money and said the country's human rights situation was a reason he would not go. During the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, he was subsequently loudly booed and responded that the boos confirmed, in his view, that he had said the right thing.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

On a podcast, Kroos said Germany was no longer the same country as ten years earlier and that he would feel more comfortable in Spain allowing his teenage daughter to go out late. He also stated that he was '1000 %' in favour of immigration when controlled, while criticising problems linked to uncontrolled immigration.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During the Spain–Germany quarter-final, Kroos tackled Pedri early in the match. The Spaniard had to leave the pitch, and his injury ended his tournament; the fact that Kroos was not booked for the challenge also fuelled the controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Kroos considered it 'wrong' to award the World Cup to Qatar, citing migrant workers' conditions and the rights of gay people, while rejecting the idea of boycotting the competition.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

After Özil retired from international football, Toni Kroos said the accusations of racism against the DFB and national team were 'absurd' or 'nonsense', while acknowledging that some criticism aimed at Özil had crossed the line.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated