The German FA could overturn FIFA’s decision via CAS.
The football association of Germany is exploring possible legal action against FIFA after world football’s governing body decided to issue on-pitch sanctions to any players who wear the OneLove armband.
Captains of several national sides competing at the World Cup – including Germany, England and Wales – had planned to wear the armbands at the tournament to promote diversity and inclusion, despite FIFA forbidding them to do so.
England, Wales and the Netherlands were forced to abandon these plans in their games on Monday when it emerged their players would receive an automatic yellow card for wearing the armband.
Germany, meanwhile, are refusing to accept the decision, with Bild reporting their FA could take the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ahead of the country’s World Cup opener with Japan on Wednesday, spokesman Steffen Simon told the outlet that the DFB are checking whether FIFA had legal grounds to impose the ban.
“FIFA has banned us from showing a symbol of diversity and human rights. They combined this ban with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal.”
Though this action will likely not bring about any changes in time for the Japan game, it is hoped Germany could get an answer within 48 hours – meaning captain Manuel Neuer could be permitted to wear an armband by the time his side face Spain in their second game.
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