Boateng's half-brother Jerome, the Hamburg defender, is in the German provisional squad and the coach has requested that he is not targeted by fans and the media.
"I have spoken with Jerome Boateng," Loew explained. "I told him that we absolutely unreservedly stand by him. He is a member of the family.
"I ask everyone not to drag him into this."
Very subtle. Notice he doesn't say leave Kevin out of this.
Hard luck, Ballack, but Germany can pull through.
