BERLIN.- The technical director of the national team Germany, Rudi Völlerasked this Wednesday the players who will play the World of football 2026 to avoid making political statements during the tournament.
Völler stated, since the concentration of Germany in the north of Bavariathat players are not prohibited from expressing themselves, but encouraged them to keep sport and politics “separate” during the competition.
The coach indicated that there will be no special training for the media before the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexicounlike what happened before Qatar World Cup 2022.
“If someone wants to do it, they are free to do it before the tournament,” Völler said of the possibility of players making political statements. “But if it hasn’t happened until now, in general it shouldn’t start happening now.”
The 66-year-old former striker hopes Germany has learned from its experience in Qatar, where the run-up to the tournament was dominated by discussions over a ban on political symbols.
There the German players covered their mouths in the official photo before their debut against Japan and some commentators suggested that this contributed to his poor performance in the tournament.
“Each player is fully aware of the situation. An important part of the current squad was also part of the team that went to Qatar four years ago,” he stressed.
Völler said he would leave it up to the press to report on political matters. “You (the media) are free to do so. We are not imposing any law of silence.”
Boycott of 1980 as an example
The former German striker, world champion in 1990, considers that the political actions of athletes have little impact and recalled the boycott of USA and other Western countries Moscow Olympic Games 1980.
“We would do well to simply look forward to the World Cup. Despite all the unpleasant circumstances that may surround it, we must try to play attractive football and excite the fans,” he stressed.
Germany will face the national team Finland on sunday in Mainz in their last friendly preparation match at home before the tournament.
