Kimmich Regrets Political Gesture at World Cup, Emphasizes Focus on Football
Kimmich Regrets Political Gesture at World Cup, Emphasizes Focus on Football
- Joshua Kimmich has stated that he and his teammates should not have "expressed political opinions"
- The captains of seven European nations had intended to wear 'OneLove' armbands to promote diversity
- Kimmich expressed regret over the incident.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich has stated that he and his teammates should not have “expressed political opinions” during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The captains of seven European nations had intended to wear ‘OneLove’ armbands to promote diversity and tolerance, given that homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.
However, after FIFA threatened sanctions against players who wore the armbands, Germany’s squad opted to cover their mouths during a team photo before their opening match, which they lost to Japan.
Then-head coach Hansi Flick described the gesture as a way to show that FIFA was silencing teams.
Ahead of Germany’s upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, Kimmich expressed regret over the incident. “As players, we should stand for specific values, especially as the captain of the national team. But it’s not our role to be political all the time,” he said at a press conference.
Reflecting on the World Cup experience, Kimmich noted, “We did not present a positive image as a team and a country. Our political expressions detracted from the enjoyment of the tournament, which was well-organized.”
He acknowledged that while Western nations advocate for values they believe should be universal, Germany also faces its own challenges. “It’s important to focus on our own issues,” he said. “In the past, we haven’t always done things right. We need to support non-negotiable values, but politics should be left to the experts.”
Kimmich’s remarks were made in response to questions about the upcoming 2034 World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is set to host.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have raised concerns about the country’s human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.
“I hope that those who participate in the tournament ten years from now can concentrate on the competition,” Kimmich added. “It’s our duty to perform at our best because we are judged on our results.”
Saudi Arabia has denied allegations of human rights abuses, asserting that it enforces its laws to protect national security.
Germany is scheduled to face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Hungary in the UEFA Nations League Group A3 on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively.
