Friday 10th December 2021
“Taking seriously” the situation in Qatar
National coach Flick announces March hit
Hansi Flick wants to start the 2022 World Cup with an international classic. The national coach announces three candidates for a top game in March with whom there is already contact. With a view to the tournament in Qatar, the national team is also concerned with the human rights situation in Qatar.
The German national soccer team will start the World Cup year with a classic international match. “It’s like that, we have an inquiry from England, we have inquiries from Holland and Spain. We will play against a team there,” said national coach Hansi Flick in a “sports studio” interview on ZDF.
The final decision on the opponent as well as the exact match day and venue at the end of March will only be made after the draw for the Nations League next Thursday. Spain and England are possible opponents of the DFB-Elf in June and September 2022 in the Nations League and as such would not be eligible for an additional test. The Netherlands, on the other hand, is in the same lottery pot as Germany.
For the start of the home game on March 26, 2022 in Sinsheim, Flick would like a non-European opponent with a view to preparing for the World Cup in Qatar, “but in the current situation that is not so easy at the moment because of Corona”. According to “Kicker”, South Africa is the candidate, the country where the Omicron variant was first discovered.
Flick will soon be traveling to Qatar with a DFB delegation headed by association director Oliver Bierhoff for the district inspection. The national coach is also concerned with the debate about the human rights situation in the emirate. “These are things that we take seriously,” said the 56-year-old. A warning example is the recently controversial annual general meeting of FC Bayern Munich because of its commitment to Qatar. “Our fans also want a clear statement from us,” said Flick. The national players were “very reflective” on the subject.
Flick gets an additional role
At the same time, the German Football Association announced that it would support football-related charitable foundations and the Deutsche Sporthilfe Foundation with a total of 4.7 million euros. The funds come from the association’s surpluses in commercial operations.
The largest part of the 4.7 million euros goes to the DFB Foundation Egidius Braun, which receives 2.2 million euros. One million euros goes to the DFL Foundation, 600,000 euros to the DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger and 500,000 euros to the DFB Cultural Foundation. The Deutsche Sporthilfe Foundation receives 120,000 euros, and the Robert Enke Foundation and the Fritz Walter Foundation each receive 100,000 euros. The “The Team” foundation is given 50,000 euros, the Uwe Seeler Foundation with 30,000 euros.
Hansi Flick was appointed as a new member of the board of trustees of the DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger on Thursday. With the 56-year-old, the board of trustees includes 24 personalities from football and public life. Members include DFB honorary captain Uwe Seeler and Otto Rehhagel. “It is important to me that, with the foundation in the spirit of Sepp Herberger, we support people who are worse off, people who need help and support,” said Flick.