DFB boss Bernd Neuendorf and sports director Rudi Völler were asked about the failure of the World Cup in the sports committee of the Bundestag. The round of questions brought no new insights.
When he spoke to the sports committee of the Bundestag on Wednesday (March 1st, 2023) about the failure of the national soccer team at the World Cup in Qatar, the new DFB sports director Rudi Völler also gave the parliamentarians hope for a successful home European Championship in summer 2024 . “First we try to win people back and then we try at the European Championship”said Voller in Berlin.
Young talent concerns – Völler speaks of “dark clouds” over German football
But the 1990 world champion didn’t want to promise the European title. And: “Dark clouds” Völler also did not want to keep quiet about German football. You still have four, five, six years “great boys”. After that it could be difficult.
Even more difficult? The topic of the meeting in the center of power was primarily the Qatar failure a good two months ago, and in addition to Völler, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf, a former SPD State Secretary and a political professional, had to ask probing questions about the Flick-Elf’s appearance in the Gulf, which ended early . Sport was one thing. But the sports-political debacle surrounding the one-love armband was of no less interest to the politicians.
A member of the Bundestag reported a full house. The half circle of seats reserved for guests on the balcony above the meeting room was also jam-packed. Some parliamentarians took the opportunity to take a fan photo with Völler. Almost all factions exceeded the allotted time limit with the questions. It was also about party opinion and party interests. Football was once again the vehicle.
Discussion about the one-love motif and the mouth-to-mouth gesture
The discussion about the one love motif on Manuel Neuer’s captain’s armband took up a lot of space. As well as the questions about the decision that led to the mouth-to-mouth gesture in the team photo against Japan (1: 2). Neuendorf went into detail about the dilemma surrounding the short-term FIFA ban on the bandage.
“We were in a situation where we didn’t know how far the penalty would go”the DFB boss reported on the initial situation before the publicly harshly criticized waiver of the symbolic bandage after a FIFA word of power.
“There was a certain drama there. We didn’t have much time and had to act. In my opinion, FIFA was the trigger of the situation.”, said Neuendorf. It was her decision that Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wore the bandage in the stands at the game against Japan. “She made the decision alone and independently”said Neuendorf.
Völler explains Faeser’s criticism
Völler explained his later criticism of Faeser. His gut feeling told him in front of the TV that it wasn’t good. “I don’t want my home secretary to be brought in”, Völler alluded to photos taken by Faeser with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. Neuendorf later left open whether the FIFA boss, who was unloved in Germany, would be re-elected in March.
AfD politician Jörn König, who drew historical parallels from German athletes with armbands, was brushed off by Völler. “They applied it too thick”Völler complained, his eyes sparkled quite evilly.
Because of the time limit, Völler was allowed to comment on the sporting perspective “quickly”. “It won’t be easy, but I’m optimistic”, was the quintessence of the execution of Oliver Bierhoff’s successor for the EM perspective. It would all have to “get together a little”.
Side swipe at time quota discussions
Völler followed the politicians’ debates about the time quotas in the committee with amazement. “I don’t know about football”said the ex-team boss, “everybody babbles as much as they want.” When the time was up and Neuendorf was still expected in the Human Rights Committee, Völler offered to stay for further questions, provided that a hot drink would be served: “There’s not even a coffee here.”