German Football Association Vice President Ralf Uwe Schaefert said discussions about Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup were "false and hypocritical".
He added - in press statements - that "German companies have made billions of dollars in profits through the various projects" that they worked on in Qatar during the years preceding the global event.
"I have not heard any criticism, neither from the German Federation, nor from anyone else. The Europeans must abandon the misconception that they are the best," said Schaefert - who was one of the fiercest critics of the 2022 World Cup organization for Qatar.
Schaeffert - who also heads the Football Association in Lower Saxony - described his country's national team players as "little monkeys", commenting on their appearance in their opening match in the Qatar World Cup against Japan, putting their hands on their mouths.
And the behavior of the German players before the start of their match in the first round of the group stage of the World Cup, when they gagged their mouths with their hands in protest against the decision of the International Federation of Football Associations “FIFA” to prevent European teams from wearing the badge of support for “homosexuality”, was met with great criticism, especially in the Arab and Islamic worlds. It resonated in the corridors of the German Federation and the players, who had different opinions about it.
"When the German players cover their mouths like little monkeys and bring the hairdresser to the hotel, you shouldn't be surprised how they lost to Japan."
Shafert's statement sparked criticism in Germany, which forced him to apologize, stressing that he did not want to offend his country's national team.
He told the German newspaper "BILD" that Schaefert "regrets the choice of words, I did not want to offend the national team."
"The term 'baby monkey' is unfortunate. I won't say that anymore. That was definitely wrong, but I said it, and I can't take it back now."
What Shafert said was referred to by German international Nicholas Sully, Dortmund defender, by saying that "the continuous discussions about the armband at the World Cup had a negative impact on the team."
"It bothered me personally. I think it's right and important to draw attention to rights. But when it comes to a football tournament, you should also go and play ball."