Debate about “One Love”: DFB admits mistakes: “You shouldn’t have carried them into the tournament”

In retrospect, Germany’s football association president Bernd Neuendorf admitted that there were communication errors in the discussion about the “One Love” debate. “As European Presidents, we should have sought direct contact with Gianni Infantino, asked FIFA’s position and we would get a binding statement,” Neuendorf said at a press conference in Frankfurt/Main on Tuesday.

The German Football Association and other European national associations wanted to wear the multicolored “One Love” captain’s ribbon as a symbol of diversity and against discrimination during the World Cup in Qatar. However, the world association FIFA prohibited this at very short notice and threatened sporting sanctions. Because the associations followed FIFA’s instructions, they were also accused of giving in to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. According to reports, the world association had not given a binding statement on how to use the ribbon before the tournament.

“In the future we have to adjust our behavior towards FIFA and push for answers. You shouldn’t have carried that into the tournament,” said Neuendorf in retrospect. He pointed out that FIFA had announced that it would set up a permanent office for migrant worker affairs in Doha and that there would be an effective compensation system. “It wouldn’t have happened if we, as European associations, hadn’t emphatically campaigned for it to happen.”