World Cup news today: goalkeeper Schult criticizes the occupation of the DFB committee

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Almuth Schult

Photo: Michael Taeger / IMAGO / Jan Huebner

Schult on the DFB committee: "Diversity is set aside"

9.33 a.m .:

National goalkeeper Almuth Schult has denounced the lack of diversity in the new expert panel of the German Football Association.

"When the DFB has always talked about diversity, about change that has to take place in recent years, that you have to position yourself in a modern way.

And when the crisis hits, you throw it all overboard.

Now you have the people who have always been in football, who have steered things in recent years.

Diversity is completely set aside," said the 31-year-old as an ARD expert.

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf had previously rejected the criticism.

"It wasn't our first criterion to ensure variety and diversity here, we do that elsewhere in the association," Neuendorf said, among other things.

The group of experts, led by 61-year-old Neuendorf and DFB Vice President Hans-Joachim Watzke (63), consists of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (67), Rudi Völler (62), Oliver Kahn (53), Matthias Sammer (55) and Oliver Mintzlaff (47).

The committee is to advise on the future of the DFB selection after the early elimination at the World Cup in Qatar and the future occupation of the post of former managing director Oliver Bierhoff (read more here).

Schult believes that tactics are behind it.

They brought in five gentlemen with a lot of influence in men's football, who are the biggest critics.

“If things don't go well, you won't hear anything negative from these five gentlemen because they were involved in the decision-making process.

Actually, you only protect yourself because you know for sure: Now we can push off the decision and see what happens.«

The final will be

Messi

's last World Cup appearance

9.10 a.m .:

Next Sunday the football world will probably see Lionel Messi perform magic on the World Cup stage for the last time.

"I'm very happy to end my trips to World Cup tournaments with my last game in a final," said the 35-year-old a few hours after the 3-0 (2-0) semi-final triumph over Croatia.

Which doesn't necessarily mean that he's saying goodbye to the national team immediately.

But even before the final on Sunday in the Lusail Stadium in Qatar's capital Doha, the six-time world footballer said: "It's many years until the next World Cup and I don't think I'll make it until then.

And finishing it that way is for the best.”

Argentina coach proud after reaching the final: "Always dreamed of it"

9.00 a.m .:

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is overwhelmed by the emotions at home after reaching the final.

“It's hard to put into words.

That's what I always dreamed of as an Argentinian," said the 44-year-old after beating Croatia 3-0 in the semifinals.

Shortly after the final whistle, the ex-professional even had tears in his eyes again at the tournament in Qatar.

»We feel the support of our compatriots, they are behind us.

It's something unforgettable.« In the final on Sunday, the Argentines will now face France or Morocco.

Despite all the emotionality, Scaloni warned against too much euphoria.

“This is a historic moment that we must savor.

But that's all,' he said.

"Now it's over and we have to concentrate on the next step." Now one step is missing.

Then the Argentines would have their third world title for sure.

ngo/dpa/sid