The German national soccer team will take a stand against racism at the European Championship and, like opponents England, will collectively go to their knees before the kick-off of the round of 16.

This was announced by Captain Manuel Neuer at the press conference in London this Monday evening.

They wanted to "show solidarity" with the English, who showed this gesture at all games, at the game on Tuesday evening (6 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Football Championship as well as on ARD and Magenta TV), he said Goalkeeper of FC Bayern Munich.

“We stand for tolerance.

It wasn't a question for us.

We'll go with you immediately, ”said Neuer.

In return, England's captain Harry Kane, like Neuer, will wear the rainbow armband for tolerance and diversity on his arm as captain.

"The English show solidarity with the armband and want to show that too," said Neuer.

Löw: "Find that right"

Joachim Löw welcomed the decision to make the symbolic gesture.

"I think it's right that the team is campaigning for these values," said the national coach.

He has already emphasized several times that it is good that the DFB-Elf stand up for these values.

After a brief review, UEFA allowed the rainbow armband to be worn, but then rejected the city of Munich's application for the arena to be illuminated in these colors.

The Continental Association had to take a lot of criticism for this.

Several teams had already demonstrated the knee gesture at the EM.

Most recently, when Belgium played against Portugal (1-0) on Sunday evening, all players were on their knees before the game.

The German referee Felix Brych also joined.

Three question marks before the round of 16

Meanwhile, Robin Gosens' role in the European Championship round of 16 has not yet been secured.

Like defender Antonio Rüdiger, the Atalanta Bergamo flank player suffers from a “minor infection”, as national coach Löw reported.

“Both felt a bit tired,” said the 61-year-old: “You have to see how the infection develops.

We have not yet been able to make a decision. "

However, Rüdiger and Gosens were able to complete the final training session.

Löw had already given a positive sign to Rüdiger in Herzogenaurach.

On the other hand, the chances of the previous regular Gündogan's starting line-up are lower because the 30-year-old was only able to participate in parts of the training session on Monday. “He already has a brain contusion on one side. You have to see again how it develops. You have to exercise a bit of caution ”, the national coach explained shortly before the flight to London. "Today it was better for the first time, before that he was dizzy with the strain," added Löw in the evening in England. One now has to "wait for the medical opinion".