According to Politiken, the Chairman of the Danish Football Federation is calling for a ban on religious manifestations at soccer matches.
His reaction was sparked by the recent Brazilian win over the USA where, the Brazilian team knelt down on their knees in a circle to thank God for their victory.
The Danish Chairman claims the action violated official FIFA rules. The official rule he cited states:
Players must not reveal undergarments showing slogans or advertising.The basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements. A player removing his jersey or shirt to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment has political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.
The question is, how does kneeling in prayer display religious slogans on equipment? It clearly does not. So, while it is not a violation of the rules is this the begging of new rules? Does a team falling to its knees in prayer to thank God need to be banned? If they are not forcing others to do the same, and not pressuring those not interested, who does it hurt?
Matches should be about sport and friendly competition. Let’s get back to the game and stop waisting time on this nonsense.
This was a peaceful manifestation. There was not a single act of violence or imposition.
The only intolerance act is this from the Chairman of the Danish Football Federation, due probably to his personal convictions.
But putting this on perspective: the complaint comes from only one of the several countries federated to FIFA, due probably to one individual.