By Berries Bossmann
The armband dispute between the DFB and Fifa continues to escalate: BILD learned from the DFB board that the world’s largest sports association wants to take legal action before the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
Specifically: The possibility of a so-called application for provisional legal protection with the ad hoc division of the CAS is being examined. This is set up during the World Cup in Qatar to make a decision within 48 hours. However, Germany will meet Japan for the group start on Wednesday (2 p.m./live ARD and Magenta).
DFB spokesman Steffen Simon (57) confirmed when asked by BILD: “Fifa has banned us from showing diversity and human rights. She combined this with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal.”
The DFB wants to achieve with the CAS that captain Manuel Neuer (36) can wear the “One Love” bandage banned by Fifa at the latest in the second World Cup group game against Spain on Sunday, without Neuer himself receiving a yellow or red card or the whole team must fear a point deduction. According to Fifa under its President Gianni Infantino (52), the “One Love” imprint represents a political message forbidden in its statutes.
The DFB application for provisional legal protection would relate to all games played by the German team in Qatar until they were eliminated or reached the final. If the CAS complies with the application, the main proceedings would only come after the World Cup – which is unlikely. A subsequent yellow card or fine for the DFB makes no sense for Fifa, a point deduction could no longer change the course of the tournament that has already ended.
Even if Germany were to become world champion, legal experts at the CAS would rule out the possibility of the title being revoked due to the proportionality of the punishment.
Whether the DFB application has a chance at CAS is open. Any commitment by Fifa regarding the wearing of the “One Love” armband in the run-up to the World Cup would help significantly, including to the other seven national teams who had wanted to wear the armband.
The Belgians, who were banned by Fifa from wearing the national jersey with “Love” printed on the back of the collar, would probably have an easier time before the CAS. Because the jerseys of all 32 World Cup participants had to be presented to Fifa in advance for approval.