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This caused an outrage here after yesterday's game. What do you think?

m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZBA7w0K3bQ m.youtube.com/watch?v=WZBA7w0K3bQ

What's the issue?

Arbeit macht frei.

Got that. But is it a big deal? Guess I shouldn't wear my "Arbeit macht den Tag kaputt" t-shirt when visiting Finland.

Didn't really like that BUT dunno how 'open' that phrase is in a German context?

Imagine most people here will be in a similar boat, NQDP can you enlighten us?

LookMumImOnMCF.net wrote:Didn't really like that BUT dunno how 'open' that phrase is in a German context?

Imagine most people here will be in a similar boat, NQDP can you enlighten us?

Like I said, it caused an uproar here.
The funny bit is that when I saw that, I didn't think much of it. In reality I've heard that phrase coined in training ground and in half time talks millions of times when I was still, playing. Like "boys, we are one up but you need to keep working in second half, arbeiten macht frei". It's sort of a joke but without hint of facism or anything like that to it. That feller was being in his football coach mode. It was only afterwards when I saw lot of people (especially the kind of "I'm REALLY into football once in every four years") making fuzz of it.

I can understand it sounds horrible from certain angle. Then again, I have a good friend (rag unfortunately) who is jewish and big football guy and asked what he thought about it and he just laughed and said he didn't react to it at ALL at the time.

Then there's one more angle to this. This guy on that video, the manager of HJK Helsinki, is actually quite an exception to your usual pundit. He always usually comes through as well versed and quite an intelligent and philosophical guy. He actually holds Master's degree in engineering which he did in my alma matter while playing professionally.

I'm moving this to main football forum for a while as this really interests me and it's borderline football topic.

probably just an issue an finland because you sided with the wrong team in ww2?
now you're feeling guilty...

Why is this on the Maine Forum and why is it even being debated?

Yes, the saying was used at the entrances to concentration camps but that was over 70 years ago when (probably) none of us were around.

The only people who should be offended are those who were there in person. Otherwise, I'd suggest it's only those PC wallers who are looking for such issues who would raise it.

LookMumImOnMCF.net wrote:Didn't really like that BUT dunno how 'open' that phrase is in a German context?

Imagine most people here will be in a similar boat, NQDP can you enlighten us?

I wondered the same, but then the presenter does laugh nervously. I think it's mildly offensive towards today's Germans, who probably won't take kindly to it, but it would've been 100x more offensive if used in reference to the Israeli national side [cue something angry from Fidel].

Incidentally, for better or worse, he would never have worked on TV again had he said it over here.

Alioune DVToure wrote:

LookMumImOnMCF.net wrote:Didn't really like that BUT dunno how 'open' that phrase is in a German context?

Imagine most people here will be in a similar boat, NQDP can you enlighten us?

I wondered the same, but then the presenter does laugh nervously. I think it's mildly offensive towards today's Germans, who probably won't take kindly to it, but it would've been 100x more offensive if used in reference to the Israeli national side [cue something angry from Fidel].

Incidentally, for better or worse, he would never have worked on TV again had he said it over here.

The last bit is why I asked. How would that go down elsewhere?

Where is the "I don't give a single fuck, Leslie out!" answer?

Nigels Tackle wrote:probably just an issue an finland because you sided with the wrong team in ww2?
now you're feeling guilty...

Actually, Finns don't see themselves having been allied with Nazi Germany as such. It was deal out of necessity because we lacked war Industry to fight Soviets. Funnily enough, Finland reached out to just about everywhere, including Britain who wanted Nothing to do with war Against Soviets, before cutting the deal with Hitler.

Urm, what does the phrase mean?

Maybe I am being OTT - but how can that phrase be used 'accidently' - must be either thick / really bad taste / or fascist fucker - most likely the last in my book

mcfc1632 wrote:Maybe I am being OTT - but how can that phrase be used 'accidently' - must be either thick / really bad taste / or fascist fucker - most likely the last in my book

Isn't he using it in an anti-German sense?

Tokyo Blue wrote:

mcfc1632 wrote:Maybe I am being OTT - but how can that phrase be used 'accidently' - must be either thick / really bad taste / or fascist fucker - most likely the last in my book

Isn't he using it in an anti-German sense?

I think his point is that it was typical performance by Germany ie working really hard and eventually they'd come through with a win (isn't that the stereotype about German football). So yes, I think to some extent he uses it in anti-German sense.

For what it's worth, most people here, especially the ones who don't follow much local football (don't know the person in question), seemed to have the same opinion as mcfc1632.

mcfc1632 wrote:Maybe I am being OTT - but how can that phrase be used 'accidently' - must be either thick / really bad taste / or fascist fucker - most likely the last in my book

Most likely the second. It was obviously intended as a joke. Although I don't see what's supposed to be particularly funny or clever about it. It's the "Dressing as Hitler on Halloween" of catchphrases.

The Italian Job wrote:

mcfc1632 wrote:Maybe I am being OTT - but how can that phrase be used 'accidently' - must be either thick / really bad taste / or fascist fucker - most likely the last in my book

Most likely the second. It was obviously intended as a joke. Although I don't see what's supposed to be particularly funny or clever about it. It's the "Dressing as Hitler on Halloween" of catchphrases.

Hahaha. I doubt it's his catchphrase, mate.