""We believe in the unifying power of sport and the global impact that a FIFA World Cup can have, the federation said in a statement issued late Friday. "Our goal is to strengthen this positive force - not to prevent it." The federation, known as the DFB, said its executive committee met and discussed the option of a boycott of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico."
"Göttlich, who is also the president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli, referred to Trump's recent actions and statements and said it was time to "seriously consider" a boycott. In what appears to be a public rebuke to Göttlich, however, the DFB said "debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and not in public." The DFB said a boycott "is not currently under consideration. The DFB is in contact with representatives from politics, security, business, and sports in preparation for the tournament""
The German Football Association (DFB) ruled out boycotting the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico and emphasized belief in the unifying power of sport. The executive committee met after DFB vice president Oke Göttlich proposed a boycott in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's actions and statements. The DFB said debates on sports policy should be conducted internally and that a boycott is not currently under consideration. The federation is coordinating with political, security, business and sports representatives for tournament preparations. Concerns include high ticket prices and travel bans that could bar some supporters. Germany's national team will participate. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter advised fans to stay away but had opposed previous boycott calls.
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