Germany faced a rash of criticism following its 1-0 loss to Mexico on Sunday.GETTY IMAGES
Germany "called off all media activities on Monday" after its 1-0 loss to Mexico in its World Cup opener following "a spate" of criticism in the German press, according to Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN.com. A news conference with former captain Philipp Lahm on Germany's bid to host Euro 2024 was canceled while the defending champion trained "behind closed doors" on Monday. The Germany camp "is set to resume normal business on Tuesday" before later that day flying to Sochi for Saturday's group match against Sweden. Lahm spoke later on Monday during a visit to a German school, at which "only questions from children and none from journalists were allowed, and to German broadcaster ARD," but not on behalf of the German FA (DFB). Lahm: "This is an experienced team. The coaching staff is experienced. They know how to deal with this defeat. Everything is still possible." Addressing the "postmatch media shutdown from the Germany camp," Lahm said, "I think the timing wouldn't have been right to visit the national team today. We heard that they're isolating themselves a bit. And I think that's exactly the right thing to do."
CENTER OF ATTENTION: German newspapers on Monday slammed the team for its "boycott" in the team's first defeat in a World Cup opener since '82. Bild wrote, "Worst defense in years, an invisible attack and the midfield was just watching. What a disappointment! Did anyone see the world champions? They were in any case not on the pitch in Moscow yesterday." Kicker's headline read, "World champions on the brink." The publication added, "A scenario which was unthinkable for a long time could indeed take shape, and it would be the consequent follow-up to the development of the past six months. Only one win from the last seven games -- against Saudi Arabia. And [Manager Joachim] Löw has to solve fundamental issues." Die Welt: "What a false start: Against Mexico the world champions lacked everything a champion needs: ideas, the desire to win, heart." Berliner Kurier: "No pace, no ideas. German national wimps sleep through the World Cup start." Rheinische Post: "The DFB team presented themselves like an aging crooner, who continues to warble away his greatest hits, regardless of what happens around him. Ponderous. Arrogant. Too little to compete at on the stage of a World Cup" (ESPN.com, 6/18). In London, Philip Oltermann reported Monday’s German headlines spoke of mental discombobulation: "Nightmare at kickoff" (Berliner Zeitung), "Fiasco instead of fiesta: Die Mannschaft has lost its World Cup shine" (Morgenpost). Bild's Matthias Brügelmann wrote, "In the past months there has been a lot of talk about boycotting the World Cup for political reasons. But I did not expect that Jogi’s boys would turn that into practice on the pitch in their opener, of all matches." Süddeutsche Zeitung took a "more sociological approach, glimpsing in Germany’s performance a reflection of the country’s changing demographic." Reporter Philipp Selldorf wrote, "If sociologists are right, then Germany faces a problem with an aging society. On Sunday evening in Moscow, it looked like the sociologists could be proven right earlier than they themselves predicted" (GUARDIAN, 6/18).
WATCH PARTY: Bayern Munich and Liga MX side América held joint watch parties in Miami and Mexico City for the match. The teams hosted one at América's Estadio Azteca and the other at Fritz & Franz Bierhaus in Miami. Bayern Munich President of the Americas Rudolf Vidal said, "This is the first time two historic international clubs have come together to host joint viewing parties in two countries" (Bayern Munich).
UNDER INVESTIGATION: In London, Ben Rumsby reported FIFA "opened disciplinary proceedings over homophobic chants" by Mexico fans during the win over Germany. Supporters could be heard yelling "puto" -- the Spanish word for a male prostitute -- when Manuel Neuer "prepared to take a goal kick in the 24th minute of Sunday's Group F game." FIFA confirmed on Monday disciplinary proceedings were opened against the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). The FMF "was repeatedly fined for its fans' use of the slur" during qualifying but "controversially avoided a stadium ban." The Court of Arbitration for Sport also canceled two fines issued to Mexico in November, ruling the chant on those occasions was "insulting" but "not meant to offend" (TELEGRAPH, 6/18).
