Former German Football Association president Fritz Keller criticized the controversy over the gay support badge, noting that it was one of the main reasons for Germany's early farewell to the World Cup, which is currently being held in Qatar.

And the German news agency quoted statements by Keeler, in which he said that it was the politicians and officials of the German Football Association who persuaded the national team to take action and wear the gay support badge, and added, “There was a disagreement in the team, and the team captain and the players were pressured to do so. Then there were discussions about unrelated things.” with sports.”

The German national team was among the teams that planned to wear the armband during the tournament, and it backed down after the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) threatened to impose financial and sports sanctions, which prompted the German national team players to muzzle their mouths during the official image of the team before their opening match in the World Cup against Japan.

Keller, who headed the German Football Association between 2019 and 2021, paid tribute to Oliver Bierhoff, who resigned this week as Germany national team manager.

Keller spoke about Bierhoff, saying, "He was one of the few who did not hide behind their position, but also took responsibility. For 18 years, he tried to make a difference in football in the field of developing young talent, but he was prevented because many wanted to make a business out of it."

Keller had resigned from his position in the German Football Association in May 2021, because he likened Rainer Koch, Vice President of the Federation at the time - during a meeting - to the Nazi judge Rolf Freisler, who issued death sentences against opponents of the regime.