DFB defends players in the face of the “One Love” scandal

“We don’t want to expose the players to such a situation,” said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf. “We (…) lost the bandage, but not our values,” emphasized media director Steffen Simon.

Captain Manuel Neuer and his teammates are now often accused of weaknesses of character. Simon objected. World governing body FIFA has threatened European associations “with massive sporting sanctions” if they wear the armband as a sign of anti-discrimination. The DFB did not want to settle the situation on the backs of the players, said Simon.

FIFA boss Gianni Infantino threatened the English team with massive sporting sanctions before the game on Monday, but without specifying them, said the DFB media director. As a result, the European associations decided to stand together in solidarity and not risk the breakup of the European bloc. Simon said he could understand the disappointment of the public, who had accused the DFB of “buckling”. The DFB have not given up their position, now you have to consider other options.

The threat of sporting sanctions from FIFA “put a lot of pressure on the players, which causes unrest in the teams. That’s really not what you need before a tournament like this”. Neuer had been involved by telephone before the decision was made. DFB director Oliver Bierhoff spoke of a special pressure on the players given the timing of the FIFA dictate.

DFB boss Neuendorf sees the waiver of wearing the bandage as justified. “Do we want the team, do we want to expose our captain to such a risk that we get sporting sanctions? There was our answer, we don’t want to have the whole debate on the players’ backs,” said Neuendorf.

However, the topic will continue to follow and concern the German players and national coach Hansi Flick in Qatar. Bierhoff at least hinted at other actions for human rights by saying: “One thing is what happens on the pitch. There are clear regulations. What we do in our free time is more up to us.”