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The SPD sports politician Mahmut Özdemir calls for a move away from monetary and bonus payments for the German national soccer players.
“The player's reward or bonus is to wear the eagle on his chest and play for Germany,” he said.
“In addition to an international win, that is payment and honor enough.” He wanted to have people with conviction who did not play for prestige or a bonus.
With a German team, passion, perseverance and sometimes getting through a dry spell also counted.
"We don't just want mercenaries, but convinced players," said Özdemir: "I don't want to put anyone under general suspicion that they only play for money, but the point is that it is a team from the Federal Republic of Germany."
In view of the high salaries paid by the clubs to their players, the Bundestag member from Duisburg is also concerned with putting “the de-commercialization of sport in the foreground” and seeing more that it is about values, ideals and top sporting achievements that “do not necessarily go with Euros and cents ”would have to be paid.
"Perhaps we will send a signal against commerce in sport and for values of sport such as solidarity, team play, fair play or anti-racism," said Özdemir.
Özdemir advocates funds from the DFB
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His demand to forego money and bonuses also applies to the national players, whose income is lower compared to the male professionals.
"It's the same in green," he said.
Either there is equality or there is none: "As much as I work for equal pay, so much do I work to ensure that there is an intangible asset in the national team."
In his opinion, the saved payments to national players could be used elsewhere.
"Without properly equipped clubs and youth work on site, there is no competitive German professional football," he explained.
"I can very well imagine that the DFB will invest the premium payments that become free in its own fund." These funds could also be used to cope with the Corona crisis.