In the match between England and Germany, both sides will wear poppies in memory of the victims of wars, both past and current. During the meeting between the DFB and FA delegations ahead of the match, DFB President Reinhard Grindel said a few words on the importance of this symbol:
“This evening, we have every reason to talk about an 'international FRIENDLY match'. Relations between our countries are excellent, and for the young people of today it would be absolutely unthinkable to shoot at each other! However, that's exactly what our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers were ordered to do. Tomorrow, Great Britain is going to observe Remembrance Day, and as Germans we feel honoured to be actively included in the events.
I know that Law 4 of the FIFA Laws of the Game is very strict. And as national associations we do everything to support these rules. But is wearing poppy armbands really "political propaganda"? Of course not, it's the exact opposite. It's about football paying tribute to the values that were kicked to the ground in two World Wars: Respect, Tolerance, and Humanity.
Football has a fantastic power of integration. It brings together people from all walks of life, of different ethnic backgrounds, men and women, young and old. The game between England and Germany will have many millions of spectators around the world, and we're sending them a clear message: No More Wars!
In the match between England and Germany, both sides will wear poppies in memory of the victims of wars, both past and current. During the meeting between the DFB and FA delegations ahead of the match, DFB President Reinhard Grindel said a few words on the importance of this symbol:
“This evening, we have every reason to talk about an 'international FRIENDLY match'. Relations between our countries are excellent, and for the young people of today it would be absolutely unthinkable to shoot at each other! However, that's exactly what our fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers were ordered to do. Tomorrow, Great Britain is going to observe Remembrance Day, and as Germans we feel honoured to be actively included in the events.
I know that Law 4 of the FIFA Laws of the Game is very strict. And as national associations we do everything to support these rules. But is wearing poppy armbands really "political propaganda"? Of course not, it's the exact opposite. It's about football paying tribute to the values that were kicked to the ground in two World Wars: Respect, Tolerance, and Humanity.
Football has a fantastic power of integration. It brings together people from all walks of life, of different ethnic backgrounds, men and women, young and old. The game between England and Germany will have many millions of spectators around the world, and we're sending them a clear message: No More Wars!
