FIFA’s ban on the “One Love” captain’s armband at the 2022 World Cup is causing heated debates. Now national soccer coach Hansi Flick said in an exclusive interview with reporter Martin Roschitz: He cannot understand the wave of outrage in Germany. Players like Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich also spoke plainly and criticized the negative reactions to the DFB’s decision.
It was the topic of excitement on the second day of the World Cup: On Monday (November 21, 2022), the world association FIFA banned seven European nations from wearing the multicolored “One Love” captain’s armband during the tournament and threatened sporting sanctions. The teams then announced in a joint statement that they would refrain from using the controversial piece of fabric.
German retreat much discussed in the social networks
In Germany, the withdrawal caused heated discussions on social networks. There was often talk of a lack of courage or a lack of backbone, and there were also calls for the German team to withdraw from the World Cup. In an exclusive interview with Sportschau, national coach Hansi Flick commented on the wave of outrage and the ban on pads.
flick: “There was no other option”
“The team was very disappointed with the ban“said Flick and explained how it came about in the first place:”The associations were only informed at short notice by FIFA. There was no way to negotiate or to deal with it again. There was no other option. That’s why the associations came together at short notice and made this decision, which we as the DFB naturally support.“
“Points deducted or an early retirement – nobody wants that either”
In particular, the threat of punishment by FIFA played a role in the concerted action of the associations. “We just don’t know what the sanctions would have been in the endsaid Flick.That’s why you just have to say: point deductions or an early retirement – nobody wants that either.”
“If it’s a yellow card, everything is fine”
Flick had previously said at the DFB press conference before the German opening game against Japan (Wednesday, November 23, 2022, live from 2 p.m. on ARD and in the live stream on sportschau.de) that the measures taken by the world association also included warnings can go out: “If it’s a yellow card, everything’s fine. Then first Manuel Neuer, then Jo Kimmich is captain, Thomas Müller for the third game. That wouldn’t have been a problem at all.”
“Outrage at home – that doesn’t get through to us”
The fact that the topic is a source of excitement in Germany does not matter to Flick. “Outrage or a lack of understanding at home – that doesn’t go down well with us“said the 57-year-old. He wanted to focus on his mission: “I try to keep those things away from me because I have one job: to prepare this team for the tournament.”
“Then we might be the heroes in the media…”
The demands from home are also unrealistic for the DFB coach. “I think in the end it’s all about: If we were to travel home now – what would that mean for the DFB? Then we might be the heroes in the media, but it would also be financially something for the DFB that reaches down to the base” said Flick.
He denied that he and the DFB were about money. “No, it’s about the base. When you see what you did in 2006, for example. Playing fields, academies – just because there was a World Cup. The point is that we want to play this tournament. We want to be world champions. I don’t know if we can do it, but we want to be well prepared.”
Flick cannot understand the wave of outrage
The current wave of outrage is partly exaggerated for Flick. “When we decided with other nations to wear the ‘One Love’ armband, it was like: What kind of sign is that supposed to be? Now suddenly the bandage is all that matters in the end“, he said.
“Diversity and human rights are extremely important to us”
The fact that he and his team want to focus on sports doesn’t mean that you don’t represent what the armband stands for, the national coach continued: “We live the values we stand for. Diversity and human rights are extremely important to us and non-negotiable. We try to do things by playing good football and not turning a blind eye.”
Flick therefore demanded, “make a point now, because you have to give us and the team the opportunity to prepare for this tournament“.
Müller defends the German position
For Thomas Müller, too, sport is in the foreground. “Anyone who expects us footballers to completely abandon our path as athletes and give up our sporting dreams, for which we have worked all our footballing lives, in order to position ourselves even more politically, will be disappointed“Wrote the Bayern professional on Instagram.
Anyone who can look at the whole situation in a differentiated way will hopefully fully support the team in the coming weeks and give the team a boost: “We want to show you that we can inspire our German football nation with team spirit, unity and football finesse. Preferably against Japan.”
criticism of FIFA
At the same time, the 2014 world champion criticized FIFA for banning the pad and “other strange actions and statements“which occupied the players and the whole team. Both the position of FIFA and the way of communicating about the ban are “in no way understandable for us“He can understand and accept the criticism of the players and the DFB, but he does not share this view: “The DFB has taken a stand and clearly expressed its position against FIFA.”
Kimmich: “Have to do the balancing act”
Müller’s teammate Joshua Kimmich sees it similarly. The FIFA ban on the captain’s armband was “Of course it was discussed in our team, it’s important for us players to point out problems and grievances“said the 27-year-old: “But we also have to do the balancing act of concentrating on the sport.”
Playing at a World Cup is a “Giant Childhood Dream”said the Bayern professional: “But I feel like you’re being told that you can’t look forward to it. But I would like to be happy, even if it takes place here.“The German national team is on fire, Kimmich continued,”we all want to win, it’s not our fault that the World Cup is taking place here“.
Goretzka, Füllkrug and Günter are also disconcerting
The ban was also received ambivalently by many players in the rest of the DFB selection. For Leon Goretzka, for example, it was “not understandable“, Niclas Füllkrug spoke of a “disappointing decision“, Christian Günter found it “strange“.