World Cup 2022: German FA considering legal action against FIFA over OneLove armbands

World Cup 2022: German FA considering legal action against FIFA over OneLove armbands: Manuel Neuer talks during the Germany press conference at DFB Media Centre on November 19, 2022 in Al Ruwais, Qatar.
(Image credit: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)

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."

The England player Harry Kane during the match Italy-England at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. Milan (Italy), September 23rd, 2022

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.

Manuel Neuer

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.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.