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Manuel Neuer with armband (on November 16 in Oman)
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Christian Charisius / dpa
The sporting achievements have so far been less of a focus at this World Cup.
Instead, there are heated discussions about the behavior of the host Qatar - and the world association Fifa as the organizer.
This also applies to the members of the European Parliament.
The liberal politician Katalin Cseh spoke of the "World Championship of Shame" during a debate on Monday evening in the European Parliament.
Miguel Urbán, a member of the left faction, campaigned for a boycott of the event.
Social Democrat Niels Fuglsang called on Fifa boss Gianni Infantino to resign.
Stella Kyriakides, who took part in the debate on behalf of the European Commission, said Qatar is not yet at the end of its human rights journey and numerous challenges remain.
Homosexuality is forbidden, workers have died, wages have been paid only partially or not at all.
Several MPs had previously expressed criticism on Twitter.
The Left MP Özlem Alev Demirel wrote that the World Cup was pure madness.
Green politician Anna Cavazzini criticized the fact that many had become victims of systematic forced labor during the World Cup.
Backing for the World Cup was only from the right camp.
The AfD politician Nicolaus Fest said: “When in Rome, behave like the Romans.
We should also concede that to Qatar.« His party colleague Maximilian Krah said that one had to respect the fact that Qatar did not want to have rainbow symbols in the stadium.
In Qatar, homosexuality is a punishable offense, and the organizer takes vehement action against such symbols in the context of the tournament or even on the pitch.
In protest, MP Manon Aubry donned the One Love armband during her speech.
It was a shame that the bracelet was not allowed, said the left-wing politician.
Her liberal colleague Abir Al-Sahlani accused Qatar of racism.
"If they were Europeans, this treatment wouldn't exist," she said, referring to guest workers in the country.
On Thursday, the EU Parliament will vote on a resolution on the World Cup.
The speeches could provide a foretaste of what position Parliament will agree on.
It was announced yesterday that the captain of the German team, Manuel Neuer, will not wear a "One Love" armband as a sign of diversity and tolerance, as announced.
The world football association Fifa made it very clear that it would impose “sporting sanctions” “if our captains wear the armbands on the field,” said seven European football associations in a joint statement on Monday.
Clear words from Germany - but also trips to Qatar
The reactions from top German politicians were sometimes clear.
SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert sharply criticized Fifa: For all football fans, "Fifa as a world football organization is a simple disgrace," said Kühnert.
With its "pressure and lack of clarity" about possible sanctions, Fifa has ensured that these bandages "cannot be worn in the end," said Kühnert.
In doing so, they prevent “athletes from expressing their opinions freely” and “stab the people in Qatar and elsewhere in the back”.
Green party leader Britta Haßelmann said the case speaks for itself "as far as Fifa's unspeakable policy is concerned".
Hasselmann said she was a big football fan: "But this is not a World Cup as we otherwise know it."
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) wants to travel to Qatar despite the considerable upheaval.
She wants to support the German team on Wednesday, said a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.
Athletes should not be punished "if other things go wrong politically," said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) during a visit to Paris.
She emphasized the importance of human rights and diversity.
This should also apply to all major events.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not rule out a trip to the final should the German national team qualify.
jok/dpa
