Zsolt Petry: Hungarian FM questions EU’s ‘freedom of expression’ after coach is sacked

“Immigration policy to me is the manifestation of moral decline. We should continue to live our lives in Europe according to the national values that we’ve learned over many years.

“Europe is a Christian continent and I am reluctant to watch the moral degradation sweeping across our continent.

“The liberals magnify the counter-opinions. If you don’t consider migration good because a horrifying number of criminals has swept Europe, you’re branded a racist.”

Petry also criticized current Hungary and RB Leipzig goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi for his support of same-sex marriage.

The new law defines marriage as between a man and a woman and asserts that the “foundation of the family is marriage and the parent-child relationship. The mother is a woman, the father is a man.”

As a rule, only a married couple in Hungary can adopt, with some exceptions made for single people, which would have previously been the pathway for a same-sex couple.

“Everyone has the right to equality […] The same way every child has the right to grow up in a happy family, of any gender, of any color, of any religion,” Gulácsi wrote.

In response, Petry said that he didn’t understand Gulácsi’s position.

“As an athlete in his place, I would focus on football and not formulate public opinions on social policy issues.

“I don’t know what could’ve motivated Péter to stand with homosexual, transvestite and other gender identities. I certainly wouldn’t have stirred up emotions in his place.”

Gulácsi is yet to respond to Petry’s comments.

Szijjártó’s post did not mention Petry by name but instead showed a black and white picture of him during his playing days.

The post was directed at European Commissioner for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová, European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, former Dutch politician Judith Sargentini and “every other liberal European politician who specializes in unscrupulous education on the subject of freedom of expression!”

“In Germany, a man was fired from his job because he shared his opinion about migration and family.

“Where are you now? When are you going to protest? When do you initiate proceedings and under what article?” Szijjártó wrote.

The European Commission is yet to respond to Szijjártó’s post.

Hertha said that while they “greatly appreciated” Petry’s work, his comments went against the club’s positions on tolerance and diversity.

“He was always open, tolerant and prepared to help. He never acted in a homophobic or xenophobic way,” said Hertha CEO Carsten Schmidt in the club statement.

“Even taking into account the finer details regarding the translation of his remarks, and the fact that several of Zsolt’s remarks from the interview were left out of the publication without consultation, we ultimately concluded that the remarks on the whole do not comply with Hertha BSC’s values,” Schmidt added.

Petry said in the club statement that he regretted his comments and respected the club’s decision.

“I would like to stress that I am not homophobic or xenophobic.

“I deeply regret my comment about immigration politics and would like to apologize to all those seeking refuge here.

“I enjoyed working for Hertha BSC and respect their decision.”