Polish football team's controversial bus stirs online debate
On Tuesday, 11 June, the Polish national team arrived in Germany. The plane with the team landed at Hanover Airport. Then, the squad boarded a bus, creating a huge stir among internet users.
On Monday (10 June), the Polish national team concluded their training camp in the country. During preparations for the European Championships, the team played two friendly matches: one against Ukraine (3:1) and another against Turkey (2:1).
The White-and-Reds set out for Hanover a day after the second friendly match. Initially, the flight was scheduled for 16:30, but plans changed, and the takeoff from Warsaw Airport occurred shortly before 17:00.
After arriving in Germany, Michał Probierz's team boarded a special bus. It is an exclusive and well-equipped Mercedes-Benz Tourismo.
The bus is colourful and vibrant. It features images of fans and a large slogan: "POLAND IS UNITED BY FOOTBALL".
Polish internet users did not like that the bus displayed images of people of... different nationalities.
"The graphics on the bus are associated with everything but Poland"; "And where are the Polish colors? Where are some Polish motifs to motivate the team?" asks one internet user.
"Africans cheering for our team"; "5 figures on the bus, three dark-skinned. Pure Poland"; "Political correctness everywhere..." read other comments under the post.
The top two teams from each of the six groups, as well as the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16. The final will be played on 14 July in Berlin.
