DFB rejects plea to make stand against US president saying that ‘Our goal is to strengthen this force – not to prevent it’.
Despite efforts to send a message to Donald Trump, Germany’s football association, the DFB, has decided against boycotting the World Cup. The DFB declared, “We believe in the unifying power of sport and the global impact that a FIFA World Cup can have.” “We don’t want to stop this positive force; we want to make it stronger.”
According to the federation, its executive committee convened and deliberated on the possibility of boycotting this summer’s competition in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Okeňlich, the vice president of the DFB, originally suggested this idea last week.
In reference to Trump’s recent deeds and remarks, Rölich—who also serves as president of the Bundesliga team St Pauli—said it was time to “seriously consider” a boycott. However, the DFB stated that “debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public,” seemingly a public rebuke to Münlich.
A boycott “is not currently under consideration,” according to the DFB. In order to prepare for the tournament, the DFB is in communication with representatives from industry, politics, security, and sports.