IIn the Hungary game, Thomas Müller wore the captain’s armband for Manuel Neuer, who was suffering from Corona, and involuntarily contributed to the debate about the piece of cloth. Müller’s musculature is not so pronounced that the bandage found a secure hold. “There isn’t yet a model that really fits my upper arm,” he said years ago.
So the bandage slipped down and was half covered by the shirt sleeve. It was only when Müller was substituted and Joshua Kimmich took over that the imprint was clearly visible: a white 1 is in a heart shape, backed by six colored stripes. The English word “One” can be read on the left, “Love” on the right. The bandage will also be visible this Monday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Nations League and on RTL) in the game against England at Wembley Stadium, even twice.
Because in addition to the German team captain, the captains from the Netherlands, England, Belgium, Switzerland, Wales, France, Sweden, Denmark and Norway wear this bandage. According to the German Football Association (DFB), the idea came about in a working group on the human rights situation in Qatar, where the controversial World Cup will start in just under two months. The focus is currently on the situation of the LGBTIQ community. The abbreviation stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people.
“It makes us angry”
Critics want a stronger sign than the one on the German captain’s upper arm, especially since the color scheme deviates from the red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, indigo and violet of the rainbow. “The ‘One Love’ armband is only a sign of favor for Qatar and not a symbol of human rights, diversity and respect,” said Stefanie Lünsmann-Schmidt from the federal board of the lesbian and gay association in Germany when asked by FAZ.NET.
A good year ago at the European Championships with games in Munich and London, the German captain Manuel Neuer still wore the colors of the rainbow on his upper arm. “With the rainbow armband for the European Championship game against Hungary last year, German football sent a signal that everyone could understand for human rights and against the Órban government’s anti-LGBT policies. We had wished for this attitude for the World Championships in Qatar as well,” continued Lünsmann-Schmidt.
The colors of the rainbow flag represent community values. “Instead, an imaginary logo is used that was created in some marketing round. It makes us question the seriousness with which the German and European football associations want to fight for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* and intersex people (LSBTI),” said Lünsmann-Schmidt.
The associations had “collapsed before the regime in Qatar. It infuriates us to see human rights becoming a bargaining chip when it comes to courting the favor of autocrats like the ruler of Qatar.”
Others have also voiced criticism beforehand. “That seems weak,” said fan representative Dario Minden to the “Tagesspiegel”. “It’s not even the Pride flag, it has other colors on it. If it’s the only thing that comes down to attitude from the DFB, that would be embarrassing to catastrophic. I expect from the DFB and I also think that there will be more.”
The DFB President makes this promise. “This is not the end of the road,” said Bernd Neuendorf. “That was a first step, ten countries are behind it, that’s a clear message for tolerance and human rights.” Of course, “this also includes the gay and lesbian scene”.
Hansi Flick argued similarly: “It’s now about the fact that it’s not just the colors of the rainbow, but all of them. It means everyone, every single person who is sitting here, who is in the world. That’s what it’s about, that we’re the same,” said the national coach. “It’s easy to always criticize when you’re sitting somewhere and not making the decision.”
