The escalation surrounding the "One Love" armband of the European World Cup captains with Manuel Neuer reached far beyond the borders of Qatar to the highest political circles. In addition to the head of the German Football Association, members of the Bundestag and the EU criticized FIFA's harsh threat, which is hard to understand.
This wanted to sanction the associations involved in the symbolic campaign - if they would send the "One Love" sign into the world. This World Cup can hardly be more political.
"In my view, this is a demonstration of power by FIFA," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf at the German national team's training ground in northern Qatar. "From our point of view, this is more than frustrating and also an unprecedented event in the history of the World Cup." DFB managing director Oliver Bierhoff said it "feels a lot like censorship".
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock intervened from Paris and criticized that every child "learns in F-Youth that football only works with fair play and diversity. If international sports officials censor it away - at the expense of the players - then they destroy football. " The European Parliament will vote on a joint statement on the Qatar World Cup on Thursday in Strasbourg.
"FIFA's behavior is frustrating"
In addition to the DFB, the other seven European associations also forego the captain's armband because of the massive FIFA pressure. The first professional to be affected was England captain Harry Kane in Monday afternoon's game against Iran. In place of the striker, former international Alex Scott wore the "One Love" armband on the sidelines during a live broadcast on English television and was celebrated on social media. Kane and also the Dutchman Virgil van Dijk each led their teams onto the field with the FIFA armband with the slogan "No Discrimination".
"It's totally ridiculous to threaten a fine because of a bracelet," said van Djik afterwards, and Kane was also served: "The decision was taken out of my hands. I'm disappointed."
Not just him. "The behavior of FIFA is of course frustrating, this escalation also means that it's no longer about the sport," said Bierhoff. Ex-national players Christoph Kramer and Michael Ballack used their reach as TV experts. "FIFA is really insane at the moment," Kramer said on ZDF. "FIFA decides and you are powerless." Ballack said on MagentaTV: "FIFA has failed completely, that is to say in its entirety. It is taking a course here that is absolutely incomprehensible and also not responsible in terms of content."
Sporting sanctions such as a yellow card for wearing a non-compliant bandage are not clearly covered by the FIFA Statutes. In the end, the risk was too high for the associations. "We don't want the conflict that we undoubtedly have to be carried out on the backs of the players. We stand by our values," said Neuendorf. Bierhoff reported that it was also "a difficult situation for Neuer. We both went to bed convinced that we could wear the bandage during the game." The DFB captain was "of course disappointed".
The associations – in addition to Germany and England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Wales and Denmark were also on board in Qatar – would have accepted a fine. "We share the (English FA) FA's frustration at FIFA's decision, which puts the players in a very difficult position," said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
FIFA refers to World Cup regulations
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on ZDF: "I thought it was a good signal that many of the national teams wanted to wear the 'One Love' bandage, which stands for openness and tolerance. (...) That FIFA is now banning it like this , I find it wrong and very strange." The SPD politician is expected in Qatar on Tuesday evening, on Wednesday she wants to sit in the stands for the DFB selection's first game against Japan. The Greens parliamentary group leader Britta Hasselmann tweeted: "A tragedy".
FIFA justified the ban with World Cup regulations recognized by all participants. In a statement on Monday, the association explicitly emphasized Article 13.8.1 of the Equipment Rules: "For FIFA Final competitions, the captain of each team must wear an armband provided by FIFA." FIFA supports campaigns like 'One Love', but this must be done within the framework of the rules known to all.
According to dpa information, the rule paragraph for (prohibited) political messages is also in focus. "In the event of a breach of this provision, the player and/or team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, the national football association or FIFA," read the international rules. The extent to which the strictly Muslim World Cup host Qatar was involved in the decision remained open.
Will be a World Cup of political messages
The Iranians showed that it will remain the World Cup of political messages. The pros did not sing their national anthem before the game against England. Iranian activists see it as a gesture of support for the nationwide protests in the country. The Iranian state broadcaster interrupted the live broadcast at the anthem. The players could now face consequences from their home country.
The fan organization "Football Supporters' Association" also sharply criticized the captain's armband scandal. "Today we feel contempt for an organization that has proven its true values by showing players yellow cards and tolerance the red card," the FSA tweeted.
The 'One Love' campaign was a joint effort announced in September by the seven teams now under sanctions and France, as well as Norway and Sweden, both of which have not qualified for the World Cup. The associations involved had stated several times that they had not received a lengthy response from FIFA about their plan. France's captain Hugo Lloris announced early on that he would not wear the bandage.
FIFA had only presented its own new captain's armbands on November 18 - two days before the opening game. "The participating teams will have the opportunity to send messages during the games via the team captains' armbands," said the world association. Teams can now wear a "No Discrimination" armband throughout the tournament instead of only during the quarterfinals as previously planned. According to the announcement, FIFA devised the messages together with three United Nations organizations.
