“Diversity” pilot: The courage of the national team

The German national team wants to do everything right. But as the start of the World Cup in Qatar approaches, the self-imposed pledge of moral sport becomes more difficult to keep.

On Monday, the Frankfurt team first went to the training camp in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The lettering on the Lufthansa aircraft, which was specially painted for the flight, reads: “Diversity wins”. A motto that is diametrically opposed to the reality of life in Oman and Qatar. In both countries, homosexuality is a punishable offense, in Qatar homosexual people can be sentenced to death under Sharia law.

The flying confession was quickly welcomed by the German media. “DFB is the first sign of Qatar!”, the “Bild” newspaper cheered. The “Spiegel” and the Munich “Abendzeitung” also reported friendly about the “first sign” or the “not hidden message”. A ZDF report read: “The DFB-Elf stands up for diversity – and everyone should see it.” Those you wanted to inspire were enthusiastic.

It’s a pity that no one will read the message in Qatar. Because before it continues from Muscat this Thursday, the players will switch to a regional machine without special diversity paintwork. However, according to the German Football Association, this is not due to the fact that the message of diversity was not well received in Qatar – but to the lack of “sustainability”.

That was already the reason for the scheduled flight to Oman, mind you in the “diversity flyer”, and it is now said to be the reason for the change of aircraft in Oman. Because: “An onward flight with Lufthansa would mean empty flights from Germany to Muscat and back from Doha”, according to the DFB statement.

The German team would like to set an example for diversity in the unjust state of Qatar, but environmental protection prevents the noble cause. A statement that ZDF immediately took over – and an editorial one text adjusted accordingly.

It is not the first time that the German team wants to appear politically committed. In the summer of 2021, for example, captain Manuel Neuer wore a rainbow-colored captain’s armband in a game against Hungary, despite Uefa guidelines to the contrary. The Allianz Arena in Munich shone in rainbow flags. Brave? Rather gratuitously. In Germany, such signals are risk-free. In Qatar, however, the self-confident display of Western values ​​could cost something.

After all: The English national team dares the confrontation. According to media reports, the team travels to Qatar in the Virgin Atlantic Airways “rainbow” plane.