Georginio Wijnaldum will consider some tricky issues during this European Championship at a press moment on Thursday morning. For example, there was much to do about the rainbow colors that were ultimately not shown in the meeting between Germany and Hungary (2-2) in the Allianz ArenA on Wednesday evening. The the Dutch captain nevertheless continues to fight for diversity in football and according to him it is therefore logical that he wears a OneLove captain’s armband against the Czech Republic on Sunday.
“It fits within the campaign that started earlier. “We want to show that we support everyone and that everyone belongs,” Wijnaldum emphasizes once again. “We have a stage, of course, football players are listened to. We would prefer to let the people who influence this be heard, but society is not structured like that. Why not listen to people who really matter, the gays in this case? But in this way we can contribute, although I am not an action leader.” The midfielder realizes that perhaps not everyone is behind the action with the special captain’s armband. “It happens with good intentions. One likes it, the other doesn’t. That’s the way it is.”
Wijnaldum wears special captain’s armband in the eighth final in Budapest
The captain will display a OneLove captain’s armband against the Czech Republic on Sunday.
Wijnaldum calls on UEFA to protect the players if there is racism or discrimination during matches during the remainder of the European Championship. “UEFA must protect the players. That decision must not lie with the players. UEFA is leading, they have to protect the players.” Wijnaldum is honest enough to admit that he is not yet sure what he will do if he is racially treated by opponents supporters from the stands. “I always thought I would get off the field, but I think differently now,” emphasizes the the Dutch midfielder.
The captain van Nederland outlines a possible scenario in the case of racism. “Maybe the opponent thinks: the Dutch is better, let’s walk off the field with racism. You talk to players about something like this, then a choice will eventually be made. But it is up to UEFA to intervene at a European Championship,” said Wijnaldum, who does not rule out the possibility that he will still make the trip to the dressing room. “I may still step off the field, if the situation so dictates. .”
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