Denmark’s assistant coach on the German selection: – Would have been stronger if someone followed up
The German national team players kept their mouths shut when a team picture had to be taken ahead of the match against Japan on Wednesday.
– It was a message from the team, from all of us, that Fifa is giving us a muzzle, said Germany’s national team manager Hansi Flick about the selection.
The Danish Football Association (DBU) has been at the forefront of criticism of the disputed championship in Qatar, but at Thursday’s press conference before the France game, the communications manager dismissed all questions about the German selection.
– We are here to talk about football and Saturday’s match against France, said Jakob Høyer when Andreas Christensen and Jesper Lindstrøm were asked about the topic.
However, Assistant Morten Wieghorst chose to answer the question:
– Personally, I think it was a good selection. It would have been even stronger if someone had followed up, he said, according to Ritzau.
Distinguished national team manager
However, he also added that he and the team want to focus on the match against France.
– We have come up with a statement to focus on football and the game on Saturday. We are using our energy to be able to deliver a good performance against France, continued Wieghorst.
On Wednesday, national team manager Kasper Hjulmand said that he will only answer sports-related questions for the rest of the World Cup. He has previously stated that he struggles with the WC being organized in Qatar.
– That’s all I want to say, and so many things I want to do. I struggle with that. I can admit that I am a bit lost in my tracks and have a hard time finding myself in all this.
Not muzzled
DBU director Peter Møller has stated earlier in the championship that the national team players will not be muzzled.
– We would like to have an open, welcoming and likeable national team. I think we have achieved that. We’re not going to say that the players shouldn’t speak out, but I don’t think it’s the players’ job to respond to human rights during a World Cup final. They have done that in the last few years, Møller said, adding:
– It will be me or the other management at DBU. The players must of course go down there to play football.
(© NTB)