As expected, fans with rainbow messages are not welcome in Qatar. Interior Minister Faeser and head of the association Neuendorf also express undisguised anger at FIFA.
Nancy Faeser in – of all things – a pink suit and a fan from Münster with a sweatband in rainbow colors in front of the glittering façade of Doha’s banking world. On the first day of the DFB selection, the duo embodied the topics and mood of the Germans at the World Cup in Qatar beyond the stadium.
The Federal Minister of the Interior and also DFB President Bernd Neuendorf expressed their anger in front of a large amount of media attention about FIFA’s approach to the ban on the “One Love” captain’s armband – and also about that of the security forces at games.
Neuendorfer: “We got an answer today”
Faeser described the decision of the world governing body FIFA as a “big mistake. It’s not okay how the associations were put under pressure.” After the scandal surrounding the colorful bandage, the DFB wrote to FIFA and requested a written statement, said Neuendorf. “We got an answer today.” The answer confirmed all previous information: First, the referee must react when a player appears with this symbolic bandage. Then FIFA reserves the right to appeal to its own disciplinary committee in such cases. This can impose further penalties. “We reserve the right to a legal review,” said Neuendorf.
At the German fan embassy, the top official and the SPD politician Faeser talked at length with the representatives of the Fan Projects Coordination Office (KOS) and the supporter Bengt Kunkel who had traveled from Münster: On this day, the sports journalism student gave the oversized World Cup mascot and the trophy on the wall of a shopping center one interview after another.
Dismissed for rainbow colored sweatband
According to Kunkel, he was in trouble at the Netherlands’ game against Senegal because of a rainbow-colored bandage and sweatband and was led from his seat by police officers during the game. In front of cameras and microphones, Faeser criticized the Qatari authorities for their handling of rainbow badges. “I’m very disappointed,” she said. “That’s not my understanding of the security guarantees that the interior minister gave me.” Prime Minister and Interior Minister Chalid bin Chalifa Al-Thani assured Faeser in Qatar at the beginning of November that everyone was welcome to the World Cup.
Kunkel complained to Faeser that he had been harassed by 15 security guards and that his utensils had been thrown in the trash. He asked the SPD politician: “Who can guarantee me that this won’t happen again today?” Faeser said, “I can’t give you any guarantees. I’m not responsible for security here.” But it’s great that he came here for the World Cup. At midday, hundreds of German fans made their way towards the Khalifa International Stadium as Germany met Japan. Numerous German jerseys could be seen around the arena.
Neuendorf has doubts about the welcome culture
In a country where homosexuality is a criminal offense, the color of Faeser’s outfit was certainly a sign, although she didn’t comment on it herself. DFB President Neuendorf also reported that there would be contact with other European associations. “We got word from different teams that rainbow ties have been taken down,” he said. Supporters of the Wales team had reported having hats with colored stripes taken from them inside the stadium.
Neuendorf echoed the words of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who also said “everyone” is welcome in Qatar. “It’s not a sign of welcome for us,” said Neuendorf calmly in the midst of the exciting World Cup days.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
