After the LGBTQ+ flags deployed all over the country during Euro 2021, in response to a Hungarian law deemed homophobic, Germany and the Mannschaft continue their fight against homophobia. Thus, five months before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, the former international and current director of the German Football Federation, Oliver Bierhoff, sent a message. “The treatment of homosexuals (in Qatar) is absolutely unacceptable,” he denounced in an interview to be published on Saturday.
The legislation of the host country of the World Cup (November 21-December 18) criminalizing homosexuality, “does not correspond in any way to my convictions”, develops the 1996 European champion, who will be in Qatar as manager of the national team, in an interview with the Funke Group media.
Germany will not stop there
“What criteria does FIFA actually use for awarding a World Cup? asks Bierhoff, believing that “the allocation of a tournament is the most powerful weapon to push for much-needed change”. But these changes, according to him, “must happen before the designation of the country and not after, otherwise we no longer have any means of pressure”.
The German team, which wants to be a showcase for the values of modern Germany, beyond football, will continue to express itself, according to the 54-year-old leader: “I think it is generally good that we let’s continue to talk about these themes outside the sporting field, to raise awareness,” he said.
