Signs against racism: the German Football Association is brought to its knees before kick-off in Munich

As it was announced, the German internationals joined the England squad on their knees ahead of their second Nations League match on Tuesday night. And the star of the German Football Association, Ilkay Gundogan, had already announced on Monday that the aim was to support the British campaign against racism with this gesture. There was also a kneel together a year ago at the European Championships ahead of the German Round of 16 at Wembley Stadium in London. “We did it then, so we are joining forces again now,” Gundogan said. The knee was briefly discussed in the team: “No one was against it.”

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Last Saturday, the England national team also fell to its knees shortly before kick-off in Budapest against Hungary (0-1). Then boos could be heard from the audience. The Three Lions reacted angrily and panicked at the reactions from the stands. The Hungarian Football Association had already been sentenced to two home matches in UEFA without spectators due to the discriminatory behavior of its fans in the European Championship matches against Portugal, France and Germany. This penalty was later reduced to one match. When both teams fell to their knees in Munich, the crowd responded with a short, loud applause.

Kneeling before kick-off is now common in the Premier League. “I know that from the Premier League, as this has been the case in almost every game,” Gundogan said accordingly on Monday. The 31-year-old has been under contract with Manchester City since 2016, and after coming on as a substitute on the last day of last season against Aston Villa, he scored two goals in Pep Guardiola’s side who became English champions again.