German Football Federation (DFB) General Secretary Helmut Sandrock "has dismissed the idea of a Euro boycott by Germany," according to the SID. He said, "In the end, there are democratically made majority decisions of all member federations within UEFA, which we have to accept. And I don’t believe that we would get an especially huge applause from German football fans for a Euro boycott." On Sunday, German Football League (DFL) CEO Christian Seifert "called for a boycott of Euro 2016 by Germany" after UEFA President Michel Platini "made derogatory remarks" about the critique from German national team head coach Joachim Löw on the increase of the Euro finals from 16 to 24 teams. Seifert said, "I find it somewhat arrogant for a UEFA president, and maybe we simply shouldn’t play. Then we would see how much value the European Championship still has" (SID, 2/25). The IRISH TIMES reported Platini “made a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Germany should not take part in the competition” after Löw said on Friday that the 24-team finals "reduced the 'sporting value of the entire tournament.'" Platini was asked about Löw’s comments during a news conference on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2016 qualifying draw in Nice and “gave a typical reply.” He said, “If they don’t like it they don’t have to take part. But this is very important for the international game” (IRISH TIMES, 2/24).
