German Players at Euro 2024
German players are unlikely to make any major political statements at Euro 2024 after their World Cup protest in Qatar was met with a tepid domestic reception, ex-international Thomas Hitzlsperger has predicted.
World Cup Protest Recap
Seven European nations at the 2022 global showpiece – including England – initially planned to wear ‘OneLove’ anti-discrimination armbands but were dissuaded following the threat of sporting sanctions from FIFA. Instead, the Germans covered their mouths for a World Cup team photograph in protest, while the tournament remained overshadowed by the host nation’s record on human rights.
The Germans wanted to use their captain’s armband to take a stand for values such as diversity and mutual respect, aiming to have their voice heard alongside other nations.
Expectations for Euro 2024
Hitzlsperger believes that the negative sentiment around the protest during the World Cup, coupled with Germany’s poor performance in Qatar, will likely lead to a focus on football only at Euro 2024. He anticipates that the team may not engage in similar actions as seen at the previous tournament.
He notes that the debate within Germany regarding the responsibility of the national team to act was divisive, with opinions ranging from considering it too political to supporting the actions taken.
Sustainability and Human Rights at Euro 2024
The upcoming European Championship aims to be the most sustainable ever, with initiatives such as using pre-existing stadia powered by renewable energy sources, a zoned match schedule to reduce travel distances, and a climate fund dedicated to mitigating emissions related to the tournament.
Furthermore, Euro 2024 is committed to upholding human rights, embracing gender identities and expressions as a spectrum, providing gender-neutral facilities at all venues, and accommodating a range of gender expressions for various procedures.
In conclusion, Hitzlsperger emphasizes the importance of balancing social responsibility with the pressures of professional football, acknowledging the awareness among players of the consequences of taking a stance on human rights following the events in Qatar.
