Iran demands apology for German World Cup cartoon

The sketch was published by the German newspaper, Der Tagesspiegel, and shows four moustachioed soccer plays wearing Iran shirts with explosives strapped to their chests stading next to four German soldiers in a football stadium.

A caption above the cartoon reads: "Why we definitely need the German army during the soccer World Cup."

Cartoonist: It was just a metaphor 
The cartoonist, Klaus Stuttmann, explains in Der Tagesspiegel that the cartoon has been misunderstood. He wanted to say that it was absurd to even consider deploying the German army for security purposes during the World Cup.

"I don't see the Iranians as suicide bombers. On the contrary: They are athletes like all other athletes. And that is exactly why you do not need the army. I used a metaphor. However, many Iranians have misinterpreted the drawing to mean: We need the army because of the Iranians."

After the publication, Klaus Stuttmann recieved hundreds of angry e-mails and a number of death threats. There has been a demonstration in front of the German embassy in Teheran and the Iranian embassy in Germany has written to the newspaper and demanded an apology.

Iranian embassy wants apology 
The letter has been published in full in Der Tagesspiegel. In the letter the Iranian embassy reminds the newspaper that all groups in Germany should prove themselves worthy of organising the World Cup. Sport is a tool for for solidarity and intercultural understanding, and everyone must avoid to abuse sport to make a political point.

"Therefore we ask you to apologise in writing and take the necessary steps to make good what has been destroyed by this immoral act," writes the Iranian embassy.

The  newspaper has expressed regret over the Iranian reaction and puts it down to unfamiliarity with the details of national debates within Germany.

"Of course neither Stuttmann nor the newspaper question the integrity of the Iranian soccer players," the newspaper says in a statement.

German union for journalists reacts strongly 
The German Union for Journalists (DJV) has spoken out sharply against the demand from the Iranian embassy.

"We can not allow the Iranian government to determine how freedom of expression is administrated in Germany," says Michael Konken, president of DJV.