© AFP
The German captain Joshua Kimmich will wear an armband in the colors of Germany in the friendly matches against Peru (Saturday in Mainz) and Belgium (next Tuesday in Cologne). The OneLove bracelet, which caused a lot of commotion during the World Cup in Qatar, is back in the closet.
Jonas WithouckBron: BELGIAN
The German Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that the German captain will wear an armband in black, red and gold in all matches leading up to Euro 2024, which Germany will host. The captain’s armband for the European Championship will be provided by UEFA. Kimmich leads the German squad in the absence of injured goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
According to the DFB, the decision to return to an armband in German colors was made in consultation between new team director Rudi Völler, coach Hansi Flick and Kimmich, and DFB chairman Bernd Neuendorf also became involved.
© BELGIUM
The OneLove bracelet was worn by a host of leaders, including Eden Hazard, to express their support for diversity and inclusion. But during the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year, FIFA banned the bracelet. The debate overshadowed the run-up to the World Cup and Hansi Flick has already made it clear that this cannot happen again. “These issues cannot be the focus of attention again. The team just has to play football. It’s about playing good football, that’s the mission,” he underlined.
At the Red Devils, Kevin De Bruyne was appointed as the new captain on Tuesday to replace the stopped Hazard. With the announcement, the RBFA distributed a photo on which the midfielder wears an armband in the national tricolor. On Friday evening, the Belgians will play their first match in the European Championship preliminary round in the debut match under Domenico Tedesco in Sweden.
© BELGIUM
