Denmark to attack Fifa – will not support the re-election of Infantino – Dagsavisen
On Wednesday morning, the Danish Football Association (DBU) urgently convened a press conference on the theme. There they explained the situation surrounding the disputed captain’s armbands, and at the same time harsh criticism was directed at the International Football Association (FIFA).
Denmark and six other World Cup countries are now working hard to explore what legal and political steps can be taken to overturn Fifa’s decision in the matter. Only on Monday, after the championship had started, did Fifa decide to give a yellow card if a player chose to use the captain’s armband.
– We expected that we would be allowed to wear it. We had a meeting with Fifa on November 19, and it was our clear understanding that we would be sanctioned with a fine, something we were ready for, explained DBU director Jakob Jensen.
He also explained that on several occasions in recent months, Denmark has notified Fifa that they will use the multi-coloured armband, without receiving a reply.
– Unacceptable
Chairman Jesper Møller in DBU made it clear that he has nothing to spare for the way Fifa has handled the matter.
– It is unacceptable. We are not the only ones with them. We must try to clarify some things now so that we can move on. Well, we’ll let Germany investigate the legal issues, and then we have to clarify some political things, he said.
– But what is absolutely certain is that the players must have optimal preparations. One thing is what I have to be exposed to, but you have to leave the players alone. Otherwise we get angry. And we are now, he said in light of the fact that the Danish players get many questions about the matter.
– Could have been quarantined
Besides Denmark, Belgium, England, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Wales want to play with the captain’s armband, which is supposed to promote inclusion and show resistance to discrimination.
It became known on Monday that the teams were threatened with a yellow card for the captain if he used the OneLove armband, but according to Jensen it was just the mildest possible sanction.
– We have checked whether it is legal in the rules to give cool cards, and it is. Article four of the “Laws of the Game” states that anyone who wears equipment that is not permitted must be sanctioned. It could have been a good card, a captain who was not allowed to get on the pitch or quarantine, said the DBU director.
Rejects Infantino support
Møller continued to state in the DBU not to support sitting Fifa Gianni Infantino when he runs for re-election in 2023.
Infantino receives a lot of criticism from individual European nations, but at the same time has broad support on several other continents.
– There are 211 member nations in Fifa, and Infantino has a statement from 207 countries. But Denmark is not one of those countries. And we are not going to support Infantino, sia Møller.
He even said that it has been discussed whether one should leave Fifa if there are no changes. At the same time, he wants to change before such an increase is reached, writes Ritzau.