Mandatory press conference: Violation of the rules before the Spain game: FIFA is investigating against the DFB

Mandatory press conference
Violation of the rules before the Spain game: FIFA investigates against DFB

FIFA has launched an investigation after the German Football Association violated the press conference rules ahead of the World Cup match against Spain. As the world association announced, the disciplinary commission is investigating violations of Article 44 of the World Cup regulations and several articles in the media and marketing rules and the so-called team handbook, which applies to all 32 World Cup participants.

Concrete background: National coach Hansi Flick appeared alone on Saturday afternoon for the obligatory press conference before the group game in the international media center in Doha. However, all teams are obliged that before each game, in addition to the head coach, one player also speaks to the world press.

Flick justified this approach with what he believed to be the long journey from the team headquarters in northern Qatar to the capital, a good 100 kilometers away. About 30 hours before kick-off, none of the 26 players in his squad could “be expected to do this,” said Flick. Instead, they wanted to hold the press conference in the DFB media hotel in Al-Shamal right next to the training ground. This was not allowed by FIFA.

The possible consequence should now be a warning or a fine for the DFB. The DFB’s next press conference in Doha will take place on November 30, the day before the last and decisive group game against Costa Rica.

dpa