World Cup TV expert apologises for mocking Qatari clothing

The former German forward, now a football commentator, made a disparaging comment about the kandura

Fans in the stands during a Fifa World Cup match at Al Bayt Stadium in Doha, Qatar. PA

Former German striker Sandro Wagner has faced widespread criticism for a disparaging comment about Qatari men's traditional attire while commentating in Germany and Spain’s World Cup match on Sunday.

In remarks made during the teams’ 1-1 draw for broadcaster ZDF, Wagner said in the 79th minute that he thought one end of Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor was full of German fans.

“Only then did I realise that they are the Qatari bathrobes,” Wagner said.

He was referring to the kandura, or thobe, the traditional white full-length robes with long sleeves worn by men in the region.

Wagner apologised on Monday for his remark.

"It was an ill-considered saying with an inappropriate remark that I would be better off not saying," he said on Twitter.

"If anyone felt offended — sorry, that was zero-point-zero my intention."

Wagner’s comments during the match led to furious reactions on social media.

Day nine of the Qatar World Cup 2022 — in pictures

A scrum of players follow the flight of the ball during the World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Portugal and Uruguay. Portugal won 2-0. AFP

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo is followed by a crowd of photographers before kick-off. Reuters

Uruguay defender Mathias Olivera fights for possession against Portugal midfielders Bernardo Silva, left, and Bruno Fernandes. AFP

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with teammates Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, after Fernandes scored his team's first goal against Uruguay. AFP

Casemiro, left, celebrates with Vinicius Junior. Getty Images

Brazil beat Switzerland 1-0. AFP

Fans have been cheering on the Brazilians. EPA

Thiago Silva celebrates the win. Getty Images

Goalkeeper Alisson will be happy with a clean sheet for Brazil. EPA

Supporters believe they can pick up their sixth World Cup triumph. AFP

Brazil fans in Doha. AFP

Brazil's Vinicius Junior, second from right, had a goal disallowed by VAR. AP Photo

Swiss fans roared on their team. Getty Images

Samba supporters are in town. AP Photo

Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, left, and Switzerland's defender Ricardo Rodriguez. AFP

Switzerland fans in the stands. PA

Switzerland's goalkeeper Yann Sommer put in a good shift, put couldn't keep a clean sheet. AFP

Brazil have supporters in numbers. AFP

Fans at the Fifa Fan Fest in Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP

South Korea supporters arrive at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, north-west of Doha. AFP

Ghana fans inside the Education City Stadium before the match against South Korea. Reuters

England's Harry Kane warms up with teammates. Getty Images

South Korean fans are out in good numbers to watch their team. Reuters

Stadium 974 will host Brazil and Switzerland in Doha on Monday. Getty Images

Son Heung-min is South Korea's talisman and captain. Reuters

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scores their second goal. Reuters

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic celebrates taking the lead for Serbia. AFP

Cameroon's Pierre Kunde and Serbia's Nemanja Maksimovic. AP Photo

Cameroon and Serbia fans arrive for the Group G match at Al Janoub Stadium. EPA

A Serbia fan cheers outside the stadium in Al Wakrah. EPA

Performers set the mood for the game. EPA

An Arabian coffee seller waits for customers in Doha. AP

There was a jovial atmosphere outside the stadium in the build up to the game. EPA

A Cameroon fan waves his flag inside the stadium. Reuters

A fan of Serbia gets his face painted in national colours. EPA

Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy inspects the pitch. Getty

The Dutch team training. Reuters

Australia coach Graham Arnold speaks to the media at Aspire Training Ground in Doha. Getty

Australia player Harry Souttar at the media session. Getty

Australia player Keanu Baccus at the media session in Doha. Getty

ZDF replied to some of the complaints on Twitter with a short statement: “Sandro Wagner’s comments about the thobe unfortunately occurred during an emotional phase of the game.

"He’s not permitted [to say that]. We’ll talk about it.”

The channel said later on Monday that there would be no further consequences for Wagner, who will again be commentating for Wednesday's game between Poland and Argentina.

He made eight appearances for Germany in the World Cup and played for Bayern Munich, among other German clubs.

The best football fans at the Qatar World Cup 2022 so far — in pictures

A fan of Brazil outside the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, before his team played Serbia. PA

A Japan fan in buoyant mood ahead of the World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha. PA

A Costa Rica fan in the stands before the Group E match against Spain at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. AP Photo

Saudi Arabia fans celebrate after their team defeated Argentina 2-1 in a Group C match at Lusail Stadium, Lusail. PA

A young Qatar fan ahead of the host nation's World Cup opening match against Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. EPA

Senegal fans provide choreographed support during their team's Group A match against the Netherlands at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. EPA

A South Korea fan ahead of her country's Group H game against Uruguay at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, north-west of Doha. AFP

A masked US in the stands before the Group B football match between US and Wales at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Umm Al Afaei, west of Doha. AFP

An Argentina fan wearing a Diego Maradona mask ahead of the Group C match between the two-time World Cup winners and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium, Lusail. PA

Ghana fans enjoy the pre-match atmosphere ahead of their team's Group H clash with Portugal at Stadium 974, in Ras Bu Abboud, east of central Doha Getty Images

Canadian fans in exuberant mood before their team take on Belgium in a Group F match at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. Getty Images

A Mexico fan flies the flag at the Corniche in Doha. Reuters

A Brazil fan with a replica of the World Cup trophy. Reuters

Costa Rica fans before the match against Spain. Reuters

Brazil fans — including a lookalike of Brazilian legend Ronaldo — pose with a replica of the World Cup trophy at Flag Plaza in Doha. AFP

A South Korea fan waits for the start of the Group H match against Uruguay. AP Photo

Mexico fans get some musical accompaniment for their Group C match against Poland at Stadium 947, Ras Bu Abboud, east of central Doha. EPA

A fan sports some prickly headgear ahead of the Group G clash between Switzerland and Cameroon, at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah. AP Photo

A Cameroon fan ahead of the Group G game against Switzerland. EPA