German soccer club calls off trip to Minnesota amid ICE raids
German professional soccer club Werder Bremen will not travel to Minnesota as part on a preseason tour in the U.S. this spring due to the federal government’s immigration crackdown in the state.
Werder Bremen does not specify which clubs it planned to play in an exhibition game, but Minnesota United typically plays at least one international friendly each season.
“In Minnesota, two people were shot dead by state authorities,” a Werder Bremen club spokesman was quoted by The Athletic and other outlets. “Playing in a city where there is unrest and people are being shot does not fit our values. That will not happen for us.”
A Minnesota United spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday. The Loons, which have the most-diverse roster in Minnesota sports, have had players speak out in fear of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in the state over the last few months.
Werder Bremen is considered one of Germany’s most liberal clubs. The German Bundesliga side also planned to go Detroit, where USL Championship team Detroit City FC plays.
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