German footballer Antonio Rudiger and the German Football Association (DFB) have taken legal action following allegations linking him to a terrorist organisation.
The controversy arose after Rudiger, following his Islamic faith, shared an image of himself on social media in prayer attire, marking the start of Ramadan.
Julian Reichelt, a former editor at the German newspaper Bild, described Rudiger’s gesture in the photo as an “Islamist greeting” on X, calling it extremist symbolism.
His statement has been challenged by Rudiger and the DFB. A criminal complaint has been filed against Reichelt with the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, and a separate complaint was filed with the Central Office for Combating Internet Crime in Frankfurt/Main.
Reichelt defended his view in a follow-up post, insisting on the gesture’s association with extremism.
Rudiger, a key player for Real Madrid and the German national team, has chosen not to comment publicly as the team prepares for a match against the Netherlands on Tuesday night.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: Antonio Rudiger.
Image source: X
