San Marino officials strongly criticised Thomas Mueller in an open letter on Monday after the German attacking midfielder made disparaging comments about the tiny European nation following Friday’s World Cup qualifier.
Following the World Cup holders’ 8-0 rout, Mueller had questioned the point of playing the minnows and declared the game had “nothing to do with professional football” due to the gap between the two teams, with the majority of the San Marino players being amateurs.
Mueller hit out at the standard of opposition following the 8-0 win. Photo: Xinhua
He also said there was increased risk of injury due the state of the rain-drenched pitch in Serravalle.
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In response to Mueller’s condemnation, the country’s Olympic Committee spokesman, Alan Gasperoni, offered 10 reasons for the game to be played.
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“It served to show that even against lowly teams like ours you cannot score a goal and don’t say you were not frustrated when (keeper Aldo) Simoncini denied you,” Gasperoni said in the letter posted on Facebook.
Mueller is one of the top strikers in Europe. Photo: Xinhua
