Football World Cup in Qatar: DFB captain Neuer without “One Love” bandage

Status: 21.11.2022 11:40 a.m

At the World Cup games of the German national soccer team in Qatar, Neuer wanted to wear a multicolored “One Love” captain’s armband. Since FIFA threatened sanctions, the DFB is now waiving it – just like other associations.

Manuel Neuer will not wear the “One Love” captain’s armband at the World Cup games of the German national soccer team in Qatar. The DFB and the other associations involved in the campaign for equality and freedom of expression would refrain from using the symbol due to the threat of FIFA sanctions, the DFB announced.

After consultations between the working group of the European Football Union UEFA and the world football association, the nations involved decided not to take the risk of a possible yellow card or other sporting sanctions during the World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA penalties went ‘against the spirit of sport’

“The fact that FIFA wants to punish us on the pitch is unique and goes against the spirit of sport, which unites millions,” said the Dutch association KNVB. “We stand by the ‘One Love’ message and will continue to spread it, but our number one priority is to win games. You don’t want the captain to start the game with a yellow card.”

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The first captain to openly flout FIFA regulations during the finals would have been England’s Harry Kane against Iran. “We had been willing to pay penalties, which would normally be the case for dress code violations. However, we couldn’t put our players in a situation where they could get a yellow card or even be forced to leave the field “, it said in a joint statement.

Joint action of different countries

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf had already spoken of differences of opinion with FIFA on Sunday, but also said: “We said we would stick to it, that we would come up with the armband. (…) We have FIFA again and again a long time in advance pointed out that we want to play with this armband, there was no reaction from FIFA.” After consultation, the associations changed their minds.

The campaign was a joint effort announced in September by teams from Germany, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Wales, France, Denmark as well as Norway and Sweden, both of which have not qualified for the World Cup.

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