German FA Confirms Bundesliga Stars Will Not Face Any Action for Show of Support to George Floyd
By Max Cooper
The German Football Association has confirmed that no Bundesliga players, including Jadon Sancho and Marcus Thuram, will be punished for their actions in support of American George Floyd, whose death has led to widespread protests and riots.
Borussia Dortmund star Sancho removed his shirt after scoring at the weekend, to reveal an undershirt with the words 'Justice For George Floyd' emblazoned across it, while Borussia Monchengladach striker Thuram took a knee, an act of protest made famous by NFL star Colin Kaepernick.
Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi also revealed the same message to that of Sancho on his undershirt, while Schalke's Weston McKennie wore an armband with words of support for the murdered George Floyd.
Questions were raised on whether the German FA would be forced into taking any action against the players, as no political, religious or personal messages are typically allowed to be displayed by footballers on the pitch.
But Dr. Anton Nachreiner, the chairman of the DFB control committee, confirmed that the players' actions fell in line with the 'values for which the DFB stands and always stands for', meaning they - or any future protestors - will not face any punishment, as cited on the German FA's website.
"Of course, the DFB control committee always has the requirements of the FIFA football rules and the DFB regulations in mind. In this specific case, however, these are targeted anti-racism campaigns by the players, which are committed to values for which the DFB also stands and always stands for.
"Therefore, no proceedings will be initiated, even with comparable anti-racism campaigns, in the next few weeks."
And president of the German FA Fritz Keller 'welcomed the far-sighted decision' that the committee made, insisting that the players' actions must 'have our respect and understanding'.
"I strongly welcome the far-sighted decision of the DFB control committee and am very happy about it.
"The DFB is firmly against all forms of racism, discrimination and violence and stands for tolerance, openness and diversity - values that are also embedded in the DFB. So the actions of the players have our respect and understanding. "