Germany's sporting director, Rudi Voeller, has called on the national team to avoid making political statements during the upcoming World Cup. Speaking from the pre-World Cup training camp in northern Bavaria, Voeller said players are not being silenced, but he encouraged them to 'keep sport and politics separate' during the finals.
Voeller stressed there would be no dedicated media training before the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, unlike the preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 'If anyone wants to do that, they can do so before the tournament,' Voeller said on Wednesday regarding political statements. 'But if nothing has happened by now, it's usually better not to start now.'
The 66-year-old former striker, who won the World Cup in 1990, hopes the German team has learned from four years ago in Qatar, where preparations were dominated by debate over the ban on political symbols. In Qatar, German players covered their mouths in the team photo before their opening match against Japan, protesting FIFA's threat of sanctions for wearing the 'OneLove' armband. Some commentators argued that the gesture contributed to the team's poor performance in the tournament.
'Every player is fully aware of the situation; after all, a significant part of the current squad was in Qatar,' Voeller said. 'Of course, we won't see a repeat of what happened before – specifically, players and officials launching campaigns or giving interviews criticizing certain issues just before a match.'
Voeller said he leaves the media free to report on political issues. 'You are free to do that. We are not imposing a gag order.' He also argued that athletes taking political stances have little impact, citing the US-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics. 'We are here to play at a World Cup. That's the priority; we are footballers, and our goal is to inspire people... and perhaps provide them with entertainment from their daily worries,' Voeller added.
Germany will face Finland in Mainz on Sunday in their final home friendly before the tournament. Coach Julian Nagelsmann said veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is injured and will not return this weekend, but will be available for the World Cup.
