Muncul Tudingan Meningdap Xenophobia, Jurgen Klopp Beri Jawab Tegas

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp (left). (Photo: Instagram.com/@liverpoolfc)

JAKARTA - Liverpool's manager, Jurgen Klopp, responded firmly to accusations calling him xenophobia. Klopp emphasized that he knew very well about his own characteristics.

Klopp is accused of having certain xenophobia levels after making scathing comments about the financial capacity of a number of clubs such as Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Xenophobia is a fear of strangers, or broadly it can be a fear of someone who is different and outside the group. The continued expression of xenophobia is the emergence of hostility and discrimination.

Quoted from ESPN, Klopp's scathing comments about the three clubs because the clubs have strong finances originating from the support of investment institutions formed by Arab countries.

The Citizens and a number of British media considered Klopp's comments to be included in the xenophobia category. But Klopp denied it.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach never even knew the shape and expression of xenophobia.

''I know myself. You can't accuse me of something that is far from my characteristics. If that (the comments) were considered xenophobia, I would hate myself,' said the German coach.

Klopp stated that all comments and statements related to the financial capacity of these clubs were purely his views and opinions. He felt he could do nothing if in the end the statement was interpreted differently by other people.

''It's (aligned) may be a risk to people who make statements in public. However, when someone misinterprets my words, I can't do anything. I just say what I know and think about a condition,'' Klopp explained.

The 55-year-old admitted that on several occasions he regretted the statement in the mass media because it could have been misinterpreted.

However, specifically for his comments on the club's financial capacity, Klopp emphasized that this was not included in the category he regretted.

''Many of my previous statements have the potential to be misinterpreted. I know that, but it was never intentional. Then you think, that statement can be misinterpreted. However, not for the (financial) comments. That's not included in that category (aligned)," said Klopp.