Hand over your mouth: DFB selection with signs against FIFA

Created: 11/23/2022, 2:20 p.m

The German national team sent a signal to the world before the Japan game.

© Christian Charisius/dpa

The discussions at the World Cup in Qatar don't stop.

Now the DFB team sent a clear signal.

Al-Rajjan - The German national soccer players held their hands over their mouths during the team photo immediately before the start of the World Cup match against Japan.

The DFB selection sent a very obvious signal to the world football association FIFA, which had banned the "One Love" captain's armband from Manuel Neuer and six other European team captains in Qatar.

Instead, on Wednesday at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rajjan, Neuer wore the "No Discrimination" bandage specified by FIFA, which is intended to stand against discrimination of any kind.

FIFA had threatened sporting sanctions in the event that the multicolored "One Love" captain's armband was worn at the World Cup games in Qatar.

The DFB, like all nations participating in the campaign, is therefore not taking part in the planned action.

DFB upset

"FIFA works with intimidation and pressure, you have to state that first," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf on ARD.

"I stand by everything I've said about human rights.

We are in opposition to FIFA, it is very important that this is made clear here.

We have to consider what conclusions we can draw from this.”

In the debate a few hours before the start of the German World Cup, DFB director Oliver Bierhoff had asked for more understanding from home for the players.

“Ultimately, the players get criticism again and again.

Of course, that hurts in one place or another because you think: when will it be enough and when can I concentrate on the World Cup," Bierhoff said on Wednesday on ARD.

The many critical reactions from Germany would keep the players very busy, the 54-year-old reported.

After all, the issue was "already taken very seriously a year ago," stressed Bierhoff.

Before the World Cup in Qatar, there were talks with human rights organizations and those affected, a symposium was also held and one million euros was donated to help Nepal.

The fact that FIFA stopped the action for a good cause was "a bitter blow".

dpa