The German FA are reportedly seeking legal advice over FIFA's directive that OneLove armbands at World Cup 2022 will be banned.
The DFB were one of a handful of national governing bodies that were warned that captains wearing the OneLove band would be punished yesterday. Harry Kane of England and Gareth Bale of Wales were just two of the national captains set to don the rainbow bands, while Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk and Switzerland's Granit Xhaka were also set to make the statement.
The decision was criticised heavily. BBC pundit Alex Scott eventually wore the armband while pitchside on the coverage before the game, while ITV pundit and former Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane stated both captains, "should have stuck to their guns and done it – whatever pressure from outside or from your own associations."
Harry Kane during the match between Italy and England at the San Siro, back in September in the Nations League (Image credit: Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
“FIFA has banned us from showing a symbol of diversity and human rights,” Steffen Simon, a DFB Spokesman, has said. “They combined this ban with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal.”
The DFB's move comes as supermarket group in Germany, REWE, has decided to terminate its sponsorship deal with the national team with immediate effect, due to their decision not to wear the armband.
Germany will no longer wear the rainbow armband – and it has caused a stir back in Manuel Neuer's homeland (Image credit: Getty)
“We stand for diversity and football too is about diversity,” REWE CEO Lionel Souque has said. “The scandalous position of FIFA is for me as CEO of a diverse enterprise, and as a football fan, absolutely unacceptable.”
Manuel Neuer was set to wear the armband as Germany captain.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
