Arsene Wenger suggests Germany lost focus in World Cup due to ‘political demonstrations’ | Football News
Arsene Wenger has suggested Germany lost focus at the World Cup because of “political demonstrations”, contributing to their exit at the group stage.
Germany, world champions in 2014, were knocked out of the group stage for the second successive World Cup, having covered their mouths during their team photograph ahead of their opening match against Japan in protest against FIFA’s ban on OneLove armbands.
The gesture came after the German football association (DFB) told captain Manuel Neuer not to wear the rainbow armband for the game against Japan following FIFA’s warning they would face “massive” sporting sanctions if he wore the armband, which promotes diversity and inclusion.
Players from Germany cover their mouths as they pose for the team photo, in protest at FIFA banning the One Love armband from being worn in Qatar
England, Wales, Netherlands and several other nations also did not wear the armband.
Germany did not face disciplinary action from FIFA for their pre-match gesture, but Wenger, who is FIFA’s chief of global football development, suggested they could have lost focus.
Wenger, when asked about Germany’s exit, said at the World Cup Technical Study Group briefing: “You know when you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game. The teams who have the experience to perform in tournaments like France and England played well in the first game.
“The teams who were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, and not the political demonstrations.”
More to follow
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