BERLIN: German Bundesliga club St Pauli said on Thursday it was pulling out of X as the social media platform became a “hate amplifier” that could influence German politics.

Announcing the reasons for the withdrawal, the club said in a statement that billionaire X owner Elon Musk had turned a debate space into a “hate amplifier that was able to influence the election campaign for the German Parliament”.

Germany is set to hold snap elections on February 23 after the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition and with far-right and far-left political parties on the rise.

The club’s decision comes a day after British newspaper The Guardian said it would stop posting on X, citing “disturbing content” including racism and conspiracy theories.

Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia followed suit on Thursday, saying it would suspend its accounts because X had become an “echo chamber” for misinformation and conspiracy theories.

Musk purchased the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2022. Critics say his hands-off approach has allowed lies and hate speech to spread, while Musk has said he stands up for free speech.

Hamburg’s St Pauli is known for having an alternative fan scene and a left-wing supporter base.

They are also active with social projects, support for refugees and minorities, and initiatives such as installing beehives on the roof of the stadium to raise environmental awareness.

“Since taking over Twitter, as the platform was formerly known, Musk has turned X into a hate machine,” St Pauli said.

“Racism and conspiracy theories are allowed to spread unchecked and even unchecked. Insults and threats are rarely sanctioned and sold as free speech,” the statement said.

“The account will no longer be used, but the content of the last 11 years will remain online, given its contemporary historical value,” the statement said.