German football association (DFB) president Bernd Neuendorf has criticised FIFA for its attempts to restrict national teams’ political activities when it comes to human rights.
Speaking at Germany‘s first news conference in Qatar ahead of the World Cup, Neuendorf said on Friday he was particularly annoyed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s letter two weeks ago urging teams to “focus on the football” and leave political issues aside.
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“That the topic of human rights should now no longer play a role, that we are now concentrating here on football only, that irritated us to a certain extent and disturbed us,” Neuendorf said.
He added the federation had to send a signal to show it will not be silenced.
Neuendorf also referred to FIFA’s decision to ban the Denmark team from bearing the slogan “Human Rights For All” on training jerseys.
