Fifa has banned eight European associations from wearing the “One Love” armband at the World Cup in Qatar. The verdict of the press is unanimous – but surprisingly, other participants do not come off well either.
Actually, the focus should be on sport at the latest with the opening of the controversial World Cup in Qatar, but with the ban by Fifa, which forbids the captains of the eight European associations to compete in the tournament with the so-called “One Love armband”. , the International Football Association finally politicized the tournament.
“Southwest Press”: Actually, there was no longer any need for proof, but at the latest with the “Bind Scandal” it has become clear where the real problem of this World Cup lies: It is not just the controversial host Qatar, it is the world football association Fifa, whose behavior is becoming more and more open resembles that of a criminal organization. The seven European associations have to stand up to Fifa: either we play with the captain’s armband – or we leave. A tournament without England, the Netherlands and the Germans would then only be a tired kick in the desert sand. And even Fifa is afraid of that.
“Weak is also the reaction of the affected nations”
“Badische Zeitung” (Freiburg): The reaction of the affected nations is also weak (…). They buckled. German captain Manuel Neuer had just emphasized that he had the full backing of the German Football Association (DFB) and was not afraid of possible consequences. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf supported the course publicly. Without a doubt, it is schofel of Fifa to put players in this predicament. On the other hand, there are the full-bodied announcements from Neuer and Co. in the room. They had a special meaning at this tournament, where it was clear from the start that not everything can revolve around football. Incidentally, the Iranian internationals decided against singing their anthem before the game against England. The penalties that threaten them in their home country should be very different from those of Fifa.”
“Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung”: How brave was the Iranian national team, who remained silent during the national anthem in protest against the conditions in their own country. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf had announced a clear stance. His words were just empty shells. One does not want to carry out the confrontation on the backs of the national players, so the cowardly justification for the withdrawal of the bandages. Manuel Neuer and Co. are part of the sports-political power struggle and can only feel sorry for them. After all, the big loser is football as a whole.
“The Bell” (Oelde): Together, Germans, English, Dutch, Belgians, Swiss, Welsh and Danes could have sent a signal to the world: “We will not let ourselves be patronized, stand united by our values and remain steadfast. No matter what the cost.” Anyone who wants to take a stand against arbitrariness must also be willing to bear the consequences. Even when the World Cup was excluded, people at home applauded.
“Cologne City Gazette”: With this act of submissiveness, the nations, which they consider good, fully agree with the cynical Fifa President Infantino, who accuses the West of having double standards. Because that is exactly what is being proven here. And so is cowardice.
“Stuttgart Newspaper”: Fifa bans a human rights symbol. The tournament in Qatar, which has been a disgrace since it was awarded, has thus reached its next negative peak. The organizers officially send tolerance, diversity and equality into the desert and show human rights the red card. It’s a shabby act, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Because this next scandal only underlines the attitude of Fifa and the host: They want to silence the players politically. They should kick hard. But political statements that go beyond the limited horizon of the World Association and the Emir: please don’t!
“The DFB is losing its backbone”
“Northwest Newspaper”: If even a small colorful bandage becomes a big problem, then at this point there can no longer be any talk of cosmopolitanism. While Fifa President Gianni Infantino gives in to the host country, the German Football Association and the other European associations are losing their backbone. The DFB should have reacted to the consequences threatened by FIFA with a counter-threat. How would an Infantino have dealt with it if Germany, England and the Netherlands had threatened to leave the pitch?
“Frankenpost” (Hof): If proof was needed that the football World Cup in Qatar is a farce, then the world football association Fifa has now provided the definitive proof. With the shameful announcement of sporting sanctions against players who would wear the One Love captain’s armband, Fifa not only shows a completely incomprehensible persistence, but also a talent for jumping from one blunder to the next
“Berlin newspaper”: The “One Love” affair didn’t even deserve outrage, it repeats the corrupt Fifa system as a farce that can only continue because everyone involved has given up their moral and personal integrity in the dressing room. In the history of the World Cup, it has always been doomed to failure trying to reconcile the relationship between acute social and political issues and the needs of football that results in value-free football. In Qatar, however, it seems that the popular ball sport is sinking into the whirlpool of ridiculousness. Robert Habeck’s unfortunate gesture, which he can hardly forgive himself in the meantime, almost seems like a strong gesture of self-confidence and sovereignty in the face of the “One Love” theater.
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“Rhein-Zeitung”: Instead of being a service provider for the member countries, Fifa, under the increasingly confused sports despot Gianni Infantino, is quite the opposite – an autocracy, in its actions without any inhibitions. An institution that blackmails its associations as if it were the most normal thing in the world. And nothing else than blackmail is the incredible action against the DFB and its comrades-in-arms. Successful blackmail always involves two parties, the blackmailer and the blackmailed themselves. From a sporting point of view, it is understandable that the eight associations conceded their passionately planned “One Love” pad appointment when the first strong headwind hit. Why they weren’t prepared for this headwind, again not. It would have been the chance for the strongest sign of all, also directed towards the future: we will not give in, no matter how great the pressure. We will not be subjugated by a man and his willing minions stealing football from the world.
“You have to be prepared to accept the consequences”
“Ludwigsburg district newspaper”: “Imagine every game starting with a warning from the respective captain for wearing this armband. There is no better way to focus on the issues of human rights and diversity. But you have to want it – and be prepared to accept the consequences “This is how protest works. Instead of accepting the comparatively ridiculous use of a yellow card, the eight European football associations buckle in the middle of an already questionable World Cup. Oh yes: who actually says that Fifa would have made their threats come true at all ?”.
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: (…) One day before the England game, whose captain Harry Kane wanted to wear the model along with other Europeans, FIFA announced: Anyone who wears “One Love” on their arm risks “sporting sanctions”. DFB President Neuendorf did not specify whether these would go beyond a yellow card, a point deduction was in the room, as it was said on Monday. (…) How happily Fifa allowed the Europeans to be ambushed is shown by the “offer” that they made in return: in the style of the house, with all their cynical patronage, they are now offering a bandage that loudly Fifa was only intended from the quarter-finals onwards, should be worn immediately. Caption: No discrimination. So Infantino is not concerned with the message. It’s about power. (…)
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“Frankfurter Rundschau”: “The mafia always wins” is a saying in Italy. And the same is true of Fifa, which dared to threaten sporting sanctions if the eight European captains in Qatar sported the one-love armband. Almost worse than this decision is the buckling of the associations before this blackmail, including the DFB. The nations thus missed an opportunity to confront Infantino and his corrupt gang on the widest possible stage. In contrast, how brave was the Iranian team, who remained silent during the national anthem in protest at the conditions in their own country. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf had announced a clear stance. His words were just empty shells. One does not want to carry out the confrontation on the backs of the national players, so the cowardly justification of the bandage withdrawal. Manuel Neuer & Co. are part of the sports-political power struggle and can only feel sorry for them. In the end, the big loser is football as a whole.