Statements about disabled sports: After show with Mockridge: Podcast hosts attack critics

Following their derogatory comments about disability sport, podcast hosts Shayan Garcia and Nizar Akremi have attacked their critics and stood up for their guest Luke Mockridge.

First, Garcia announced the supposed end of her podcast “Die Deutschen” in a twelve-minute Instagram video with the words “We have hurt too many people, so we have to pull the ripcord.” But then Akremi laughed and said “Never! Nothing is ending here,” before settling scores with the critics who had publicly demanded consequences for Mockridge and the moderators.

duo: “We didn’t commit murder”

Regarding Mockridge, Akremi told critics that attempts were being made to systematically destroy people because of a joke that some people didn’t like. “This man has lost everything and you still aren’t satisfied.” Garcia added: “We have not committed murder” – and announced: “We will take legal action against anyone who has engaged in slander and incitement.”

The trio had made derogatory comments and gestures about disabled sports in the podcast “Die Deutschen” and had been publicly criticized for this. “There are people without legs and arms who are thrown into a pool – and whoever drowns last wins,” said Mockridge, causing great laughter among the hosts.

Apologies to people with physical disabilities

The broadcaster Sat.1 then canceled the comedian’s new show “What’s in the Box?”, and Mockridge himself canceled the opening shows of his planned “Funny Times” tour “due to the current situation,” as the organizer announced. A performance by Akremi in Berlin was also canceled.

At the end of the video, the podcast hosts addressed “people with physical disabilities who are deeply hurt and who feel their human dignity has been violated,” as Garcia said. “We are truly and sincerely sorry. It was never our intention to hurt you.” They expressly did not want to apologize to the critics who “enjoyed the shitstorm.”