"One Love" bandage: DFB capitulates to FIFA - Rainbow shoelaces are suddenly discussed

Created: 2022-11-22 06:51

By: Manuel Bonke

FIFA announced sporting sanctions for wearing the One Love armband on Monday.

The DFB buckled and complained about the process.

Doha - We fly the flag!

With this great claim, the DFB traveled to Qatar.

President Bernd Neuendorf said they wanted to draw attention to abuses in human rights, and DFB director Oliver Bierhoff promised responsible players.

The One Love captain's armband, which most European associations had agreed on as a symbol of tolerance at the 2022 World Cup, Manuel Neuer will "of course wear" and accept penalties for it.

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf and Managing Director Oliver Bierhoff face the press in Qatar.

© Christian Charisius/dpa

World Cup 2022 in Qatar: Neuendorf condemns "unprecedented demonstration of power by FIFA"

The acid test on Monday: FIFA banned the bandage – and the largest sports association in the world actually showed the flag.

He hoisted the white flag... The DFB capitulated.

"From our point of view, this is more than frustrating and also an unprecedented event in the history of the World Cup.

From my point of view, it is a demonstration of power by FIFA,” Neuendorf tried to justify himself at a press conference that was held at short notice.

Empty phrases compared to how courageous silence can be.

The Iranian national team demonstrated this impressively in their opening game against England.

As their country's national anthem played, Iranians fell silent and pursed their lips in demonstrative fashion.

Many of their compatriots then burst into tears in their seats.

In Iran, people take to the streets and protest for women's rights and against the violence of the state regime - the players supported this with their gesture.

They could now expect massive penalties in their home country because of their silent protest.

Those responsible and the players of the DFB must have followed this action with awe.

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FIFA got serious about penalties for "One Love" bandages - Neuer and Co. were threatened with suspensions

The FIFA sanctions for the one-love armband were initially only about fines, which probably led the DFB officials to their pithy words from the weekend.

On Monday, however, sporting consequences suddenly threatened.

Probably in the form of a yellow card before kick-off – any further card would have resulted in game suspensions for Neuer and other captains.

Suddenly there was even talk of point deductions.

However, FIFA did not provide any details.

She referred to Article 13.8.1 of the Kit Rules: For FIFA finals competitions, the captain of each team must wear an armband provided by FIFA.

Absurd: FIFA supposedly supports campaigns like "One Love", but this has to be done within the framework of the known rules.

The DFB's justification for the backwards role was that the conflict should not be carried out on the backs of the players: "We stand by what we said and believe that we must and will continue to represent these values ​​in the future and during the tournament ."

The English ex-national player and current TV expert Alex Scott sent a clear signal.

The 38-year-old wore the "One Love" armband on her upper arm as part of the pre-report for the England v Iran game.

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Hitzlsperger makes a different suggestion

The only question that remains is: how?

Ex-international Thomas Hitzlsperger suggested players should wear rainbow shoelaces and called the whole process involving President Gianni Infantino pathetic.

"Today is certainly another low blow for us," Neuendorf admitted sheepishly after his pithy words on Friday.

Although Oliver Bierhoff found clear words, it is difficult to take them seriously after the events of the past few days: "This escalation means that it is no longer about sport.

There's a lot of irritation there, it already feels a lot like censorship.

They can take our bandages, but we will express the values ​​that we have.” Maybe with shoelaces.