Stop racist neo-Nazis at World Cup says Asamoah

Germany's striker Gerald Asamoah (L) and midfielder David Odonkor shoot during a training session of the national football team at the Stade de Geneve in Geneva. Asamoah, the first black player to represent the country, has said it is vital that the host nation do not allow racist neo-Nazis to spoil the World Cup, which begins in two week's time.

German international Gerald Asamoah, the first black player to represent the country, has said it is vital that the host nation do not allow racist neo-Nazis to spoil the World Cup, which begins in two week's time.

"Certain people have just been waiting for a big stage like the World Cup to bring this dreadful element in," Asamoah said Saturday in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine.

"I have been personally affected and find it terrible. It is very sad what you see about it on television every day. We cannot let the Nazis get the better of us at this World Cup."

Asamoah, 27, was born in Ghana but chose to play for his adopted homeland Germany, making his international debut against Slovakia in May 2001.

The Schalke 04 forward became the first black player to represent Germany in the process and a racist neo-Nazi organisation produced a photograph of him with a banner reading: "No Gerald you are not Germany."

"That really hurt me," admitted Asamoah. "The fight against right wing radicals could be something for the future when I have ended my football career."

Asamoah, capped 38 times by Germany, has been included in Jurgen Klinsmann's World Cup squad and could start in the World Cup opener against Costa Rica on June 9 in Munich.

Germany have been pooled with Costa Rica, Ecuador and Poland in Group A.