Germany considers boycotting World Cup due to Trump's Greenland move.
A senior executive from a German soccer club has urged the country to consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in response to US President Donald Trump's recent actions over Greenland. Oke Göttlich, president of St. Pauli and one of Germany's vice presidents, believes that the potential threat posed by such incidents is greater now than it was during the 1980 Moscow Olympics when several countries boycotted the games.
Göttlich stated in an interview with the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper that he wanted to "seriously consider" discussing a boycott. He noted that the justification for boycotting the Olympic Games in 1980, when led by the United States, was greater now than it was then. Göttlich believes that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's actions are also a cause for concern.
Göttlich questioned whether there is a clear line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. He expressed concerns about Trump's statement regarding his proposed deal with Greenland and asked if this constitutes a breach of taboos. The executive stated that he wants to know from the President when he has reached his limits on what is deemed acceptable.
French sports minister Marina Ferrari said that her country will not be considering boycotting the 2026 World Cup due to Trump's actions over Greenland. Ferrari believes in keeping sport separate from politics and considers the World Cup an essential moment for fans of the game.
A senior executive from a German soccer club has urged the country to consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in response to US President Donald Trump's recent actions over Greenland. Oke Göttlich, president of St. Pauli and one of Germany's vice presidents, believes that the potential threat posed by such incidents is greater now than it was during the 1980 Moscow Olympics when several countries boycotted the games.
Göttlich stated in an interview with the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper that he wanted to "seriously consider" discussing a boycott. He noted that the justification for boycotting the Olympic Games in 1980, when led by the United States, was greater now than it was then. Göttlich believes that FIFA President Gianni Infantino's actions are also a cause for concern.
Göttlich questioned whether there is a clear line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. He expressed concerns about Trump's statement regarding his proposed deal with Greenland and asked if this constitutes a breach of taboos. The executive stated that he wants to know from the President when he has reached his limits on what is deemed acceptable.
French sports minister Marina Ferrari said that her country will not be considering boycotting the 2026 World Cup due to Trump's actions over Greenland. Ferrari believes in keeping sport separate from politics and considers the World Cup an essential moment for fans of the game.