The DFB thoroughly removes contentious and delicate subject matters.
"No controversy over captain's armbands: The DFB takes a different approach than in the World Cup held in Qatar. İlkay Gündoğan, who captains the national team, will use the 'Respect' band of UEFA, while the DFB will not employ its own design.
Julian Nagelsmann desires simply to "continue" and his wish will be granted. The German Football Association is aware of the disconcerting political debates they've witnessed in the past and has resolved a potential incendiary issue before the home EM. Captain İlkay Gündoğan will wear the official captain's armband of the European Football Union (UEFA) during the EURO. The DFB confirmed this in response to a SID inquiry and aligns with Nagelsmann's long-held public stance.
"I hope the team remains uninvolved in any debates," the national coach emphasized months ago. In stark contrast to the heated discussions surrounding the arm band worn by the then-captain Manuel Neuer at the EM 2021 and the World Cup in Qatar 2022, which made headlines and sometimes overshadowed the sport.
"Political and social issues frequently spark conversations within a football team, which brings together different opinions, cultures, and religions, and this often affects performance," said Nagelsmann to the Mirror. He added pragmatically, "We'll accomplish more for society if we play a great EURO and encourage 15% more children to join clubs afterward than with a gesture before a game."
UEFA "Respect" band with a clear stance at the EURO
The DFB's decision refers to the action used by the national team to respond to the de facto ban of the "One Love" band by FIFA prior to the World Cup opener against Japan. The scene where players wrapped their hands in front of their mouths before the match received global attention. The debate overshadowed the entire tournament and was criticized by the sporting management around national coach Hansi Flick for the group stage elimination. Even at the EM 2021, there were discussions about the rainbow colors on Neuer's arm.
Instead of utilizing their own design, the DFB has decided to use the classic armband in black-red-gold during the friendly matches against Ukraine on Monday in Nuremberg and against Greece on June 7 in Mönchengladbach. At the tournament, Gündoğan will wear the UEFA band, which features their campaign "UEFA Respect" in blue and yellow. It's meant to convey respect for opponents, coaches and officials, referees, and fans, as well as a clear stance against racism and discrimination in any capacity."
Read also:
- Prodigies of sport: Littler's predecessors
- Nagelsmann's announcement: A restless Christmas for national team players
- What sports fans prefer to watch on television
- The calm before the upheaval: Nagelsmann's European Championship plans
- Despite the controversy surrounding captain's armbands in previous international tournaments, such as the World Cup 2022 and EM 2021 with Manuel Neuer, the DFB and Ilkay Gündogan have chosen to use the UEFA's "Respect" band during the EURO, avoiding any potential political debates.
- Julian Nagelsmann, the national coach, has expressed his desire to keep the team away from any debates and focus on the sport, emphasizing that making a significant impact on society through a great EURO and encouraging more children to join clubs is more important than making a gesture before the game.
- The DFB, demonstrating its cooperation with UEFA, will allow Ilkay Gündogan to don the "Respect" band during the EURO, contrasting their decision to use their own design in past friendly matches, like against Ukraine and Greece, where they would utilize the classic armband in black-red-gold.
Source: www.ntv.de
