DFB Vice-President Hans-Joachim Watzke has criticized the actions of the World Football Association in the dispute over the “One Love” armband at the World Cup in Qatar in clear words.
“The way FIFA is currently portraying itself, it’s a single catastrophe. With what FIFA has done now, the issue has come even more onto the agenda. I think that it hasn’t done itself any favors,” said the managing director of Borussia Dortmund and head of the supervisory board of the German Football League in a “Sky” interview during the Bundesliga club’s trip to Asia.
The “One Love” armband was announced in September as a joint action by several European national teams. The colorful captain’s armband should stand at the World Cup as a symbol for equality and freedom of expression as well as against discrimination.
However, FIFA announced on Monday that it would sanction the wearing of the bandage at the World Cup – whereupon the DFB and six other European national associations declared that they would not do so.
“FIFA is making it very difficult for us at the moment. Over the past few weeks, we have repeatedly taken a clear position that everyone is equal and that this should be respected. We will always fight for it and say it again and again,” emphasized Watzke.