The DFB (German FA) are considering taking legal action against world football’s governing body FIFA over their stance on OneLove armbands.
England and Wales were among the nations which opted against wearing the armband in Qatar due to the threat that their respective captains Harry Kane and Gareth Bale could receive yellow cards for doing so. The late decisions from the respective FAs have been heavily criticised.
The German FA were among the other European nations who had originally committed to wearing the armband at the World Cup before reversing their decision in the wake of FIFA outlawing it and threatening sporting repercussions should they proceed to wear them.
A report in German media outlet Bild now claims that the German FA are weighing up whether to take legal action against FIFA amid the fallout. It is claimed that such a decision could be taken to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Steffen Simon, a DFB Spokesman, is quoted as saying: “FIFA has banned us from showing a symbol of diversity and human rights. They combined this ban with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal.”
That may mean that Germany captain Manuel Neuer could wear the OneLove armband during the nation’s second group stage match against Spain on Sunday without any risk of negative consequences – as he is unable to do so for their opener against Japan.
Have Your Say! What did you make of the OneLove stance by FIFA and the FAs? Tell us what you think here.
The German FA’s move comes as German supermarket group REWE ends its sponsorship deal with them with immediate effect due to their decision not to wear the armband.
REWE CEO Lionel Souque is quoted as saying : "We stand for diversity and football too is about diversity. The scandalous position of FIFA is for me as CEO of a diverse enterprise, and as a football fan, absolutely unacceptable."
Unsurprisingly, the topic came up at Germany’s press conference on Tuesday. Joshua Kimmich said of the OneLove armband: "I was surprised with the ban. We players are very reflective and point the issues out, but we should talk about football again at some point. It's not my fault that the World Cup was awarded here 12 years ago. I was 15 back then.
"Nevertheless, I have to keep speaking about it. We have the opportunity to go outside and see what life is really like. We live in a kind of bubble."
The national team boss Hansi Flick added: "The team wanted to set an example together with the DFB & other nations, but FIFA put a stop to that. We didn't know what the sanctions were. There's no point in doing something else now. The team is shocked something like that was not feasible"
"If it was only a yellow card, that would have been okay. But FIFA didn't specify the sanctions. It's a shame that our fight for human rights was not allowed to stand up. I think it's a shame that you can no longer stand up for human rights."
