Straying Loew promises best touchline behaviour

Paris (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew has promised to be on his best behaviour after being caught live on television having an indiscreet scratch of his genitals during the world champions’ opening Euro 2016 win over Ukraine.

Loew has been the target of widespread mocking on social media after slipping his hand into the front of his trousers during the 2-0 win in Lille, with the unfortunate incident dubbed ‘trousers-gate’ by the German press.

“I’ve seen these images the next day. I’m sorry for it, of course you do something unconsciously when you are full of adrenaline,” said the World Cup-winning coach.

“I’m trying to behave properly from now on.”

Of more pressing concern for Loew is stopping Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski and his Poland side in a battle for top stop in Group C in Paris on Thursday.

Poland beat Germany for the first time in their history in qualifying and earned their first ever win in a European Championship finals when they edged out Northern Ireland 1-0 on Sunday.

However, Loew insisted he won’t rush back Lewandowski’s new Bayern Munich teammate, centre-back Mats Hummels, to deal with the threat posed by the Bundesliga’s top scorer.

“He has trained twice with the team, but for me it is very important to see the final training tonight,” added Loew.

“We will talk to him then we will see if he can play.

“At least concerning Hummels I won’t run any risk, if there are minor problems I won’t run the risk in the second game of such a tournament.”