The German FA (DFB) have explained their decision as to why they’re investigating tributes towards George Floyd by Weston McKennie (Schalke), Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund).
German football has adopted guidelines by the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) that state: “Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer’s logo. For any offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”
In an interview with Forbes, Schalke midfielder McKennie revealed that referee Felix Zwayer had asked the United States international to remove an armband that said “Justice for George.”
The DFB also state that Sancho was booked after taking his shirt off, not for revealing the slogan “Justice for George Floyd.”
In a statement on the DFB’s website, vice president Rainer Koch said: “According to the DFB constitution, the control body’s task is to ensure that the DFB’s constitution and regulations are adhered to and to examine the circumstances surrounding violations.
“This is now happening as a result of this weekend’s actions. Part of these examinations is to ascertain whether during matches and on the pitch are the right place for these actions. As is the case internationally, the game itself should remain free of political statements or messages of any kind; the fair and competitive action on the pitch should be the focus.
“There are of course opportunities before and after the match for these kinds of things. We’ll have to wait and see whether sanctions are required in these instances.”
The DFB also state that Marcus Thuram taking a knee is open to interpretation and therefore no action will be taken.
