The national coach has made a decision: Only those who can present proof of vaccination against Covid-19 will be nominated.

This has nothing to do with discrimination against all those who decided against immunization around a year after the start of the vaccination campaign.

It is an admission of reality.

Because this pandemic is not over yet, not in Germany, not in Europe, not even in China.

Judging by official reports, the corona outbreaks are limited there, but the regulations are clear: If you want to travel to the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing next February, you have to be vaccinated or stay in for 21 days after landing in China Enter quarantine. But that's not really an alternative. In any case, it would no longer be possible to prepare properly for the ice hockey tournament - national coach Toni Söderholm knows that too.

Anyone who is invited to an international match of the national soccer team has to be tested.

Niklas Süle noticed a corona infection this week, even though he is fully vaccinated.

Four other national players were then placed in quarantine - including Joshua Kimmich, who is known to be unvaccinated.

That can at least be assumed of the other three.

And at this point at the latest, a credibility problem becomes clear.

"Referee, I'm already yellow" - with this slogan the German Football Association, together with its regional and state associations, advertises the importance of a vaccination.

That is praiseworthy, but how much is it really worth if the great football role models don't also lead the way as vaccination role models?

Vaccination is and will remain an individual matter.

But an unvaccinated individual rarely lives in isolation.

And whoever is a national player doesn't just play on the big football stages, he travels with his team across Europe - and thus gives the feeling that anything is still possible.

That is a mistake.

And it's dangerous.

In view of the growing number of infections, it is possible that in a few weeks there will be another discussion in this country about whether it is right to close schools again, but keep football operations going.

If this story repeats itself, football could only lose.

There is an antidote to this, it is: show your attitude.

Vaccination is the only way out of this pandemic - national coach Hansi Flick said this week.

He's right.

And he should have the courage to fill his words with life.

It would be a sign - beyond football.