Hansi Flick alone at the PK the day before the game against Spain. According to Fifa regulations, a player should have accompanied him Photo: picture alliance/ AP
By Bastian Teinert
No player = 10,000 euros fine! These are the tough rules of the world football association Fifa. And they are now being consistently enforced against us.
national coach Hansi Flick appeared alone on the podium at the international media center before the landmark match against Spain (1-1). Actually – according to the regulations of Fifa – a player should have accompanied him to this official Fifa press conference.
National coach Hansi Flick was in a good mood at PK anyway. Photo: picture alliance/dpa
Result: 10,000 euros fine!
Of the German Football Association (DFB) now has to pay 10,000 Swiss francs (the equivalent of around 10,100 euros) for this rule violation. In addition, the DFB was warned. The world association announced the penalty on Tuesday morning.
Flick’s action was justified by 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.
What is the DFB doing before the Costa Rica game?
The rule that the press conference before a World Cup game must be held in the media center in Al-Rajjan applies to all 32 World Cup participants. The next press conference for the DFB in the media center will take place on Wednesday (the day before the last and decisive group game against Costa Rica).
Will Flick appear solo again?