Status: 11/21/2022 10:04 p.m
The ex-soccer professional Hitzlsperger has FIFA in the daily topics criticized for banning the “One Love” bandage. The pressure comes from the World Cup organizer Qatar. The captains were put to the test – their decision was disappointing.
Former German footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger has sharply criticized FIFA for banning the “One Love” captain’s armband at the World Cup in Qatar. In the daily topics said Hitzlsperger, at the European Championships two years ago “there was also a big discussion about rainbows, about diversity and against discrimination”. At that time there were omissions by UEFA, he believes, saidWärmelsperger. But this time it was different: “FIFA set it up. They wanted this discussion and they wanted to set an example against the European associations,” said Hitzlsperger. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is only concerned with staying in power.
“Pressure from the host country”, Thomas Hitzlsperger, former national player, on the discussion about the captain’s armband at the World Cup
daily topics 9:45 p.m., 21.11.2022
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf has already said: “This is a demonstration of power”. The European associations had already announced a few months ago that they wanted to wear the bandage – FIFA only made it clear to the associations shortly before the start of the tournament: “You will not wear this bandage, otherwise there will be sporting consequences.” That really irritated him, says Hitzlsperger.
“Many football fans disappointed”
For the teams, that was “now a step too far,” said Hitzlsperger. Many players have repeatedly taken action against discrimination in the past and now have to make up their minds: take a sporting disciplinary measure or stand up for the values. Now many captains have disappointed “many people, many football fans”, says Hitzlsperger.
The players themselves would have wanted to set an example by announcing that they would wear the bandage at the World Cup. “That’s why they raised expectations. Now we’re at a point where they can’t live up to expectations anymore. Hence the disappointment. It will take time before they can credibly stand up for these values again. Today they were put to the test placed.”
You have clearly noticed how the balance of power is in world football. “Once more clearly: It is also determined where the bill is paid,” says Hitzlsperger. In its statutes, FIFA itself talks about the observance of human rights. “This bandage symbolizes standing up for human rights, against discrimination, for diversity – all positive things. These aren’t political messages, they’re about human rights. The fact that they forbid that doesn’t make sense to me.” Therefore, one can only speculate that the pressure comes from higher authorities. “In this case, that’s the organizer of this World Cup, the host country Qatar.”
Sharp criticism from Baerbock and Faeser
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had previously sharply criticized the ban on the “One Love” captain’s armband. “Every child learns in the F youth that football only works with fair play and diversity,” explained the Green politician on the sidelines of her visit to the French capital Paris. “If international sports officials censor that away – at the expense of the players – then they will ruin football,” she warned.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser made a similar statement on Monday. “I find FIFA’s decision very strange,” said the SPD politician on ZDF: “I thought it was a good signal that many of the national teams wanted to wear the ‘One Love’ armband, which stands for openness and tolerance.”
The CDU member of the Bundestag Hermann Gröhe tweeted that the process by FIFA and the DFB was “more than embarrassing”. SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert said: “FIFA is a disgrace.”