Germany manager Hansi Flick was joined by a player at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday as Die Mannschaft's row with FIFA rumbles on.
The Germans are under investigation by FIFA after a player did not join Flick for their press conference ahead of the 1-1 draw against Spain on Sunday. Flick's side face Costa Rica in their final Group E fixture on Thursday and need to win to stay in the World Cup.
FIFA rules state that the manager and a player from each nation must attend a press conference 24 hours before every game. Germany did not stick to this rule ahead of the Spain clash and have been at loggerheads with FIFA since the tournament started.
Flick entered Germany's pre-match press conference on Wednesday without a player. He confirmed defender Lukas Klostermann is an option for the Costa Rica game and praised the efforts of youngster Jamal Musiala and experienced campaigner Mario Gotze.
Just as journalists were beginning to wonder if a player would arrive, Klostermann turned up to appease FIFA. Klostermann's appearance suggests he will play against Costa Rica, as it's unusual to complete a press conference and not be involved in the game.
Germany's row with FIFA started when skipper Manuel Neuer and six other World Cup captains wanted to wear the OneLove armband, which promotes inclusion and diversity. FIFA vetoed the campaign and threatened to book players for wearing the armband.
Do you think Germany will reach the knockout stages of the World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!
Players were keen to support the OneLove campaign due to Qatar's abhorrent laws on homosexuality. Same-sex relationships are illegal and several LGBT+ protests have been quashed by the local authorities since the tournament started earlier this month.
Germany are considering taking legal action against FIFA over the armband row. It's unclear whether their refusal to send a player to a press conference has anything to do with this, with Flick insisting he didn't want a member of his squad travelling to the media centre in Doha.
"You sit in the car for a total of almost three hours," said Flick during the controversial press conference. "And that’s before such an important game."
Each nation formally agreed to sending a coach and player to pre-match press conferences ahead of the World Cup, with Germany said to have violated 'Article 44' of the code. FIFA is expected to finalise its investigation before Thursday's crucial game.
Germany will be eliminated from the World Cup if they fail to win in their group finale. They are also need Spain to beat Japan, or hope Japan fail to win and they beat Costa Rica by two goals. All four teams still have a chance of progressing to the last 16.
Germany are under pressure to succeed at this World Cup after failing to get out of their group in Russia four years ago. They've struggled at the competition since lifting the trophy in 2014 and remain one of the favourites to win this year's final.
