Ex-defender Babbel 'ashamed' that German FA does not stand up to FIFA

Former European champion Markus Babbel has called on the German Football Federation (DFB) to take clear action against Saudi Arabia's controversial bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

The Saudis are almost guaranteed to host their first World Cup after football's governing body FIFA tweaked the rules for awarding the tournament.

It comes after Qatar, which like Saudi Arabia has a dubious human rights record, held the first Middle Eastern World Cup in 2022.

Germany wanted captain Manuel Neuer to wear a rainbow-coloured armband to promote diversity but were blocked by FIFA, with Germany players then covering their mouths in protests during a photo-op.

Retired ex-Germany defender Babbel feels more concrete steps are needed, with many pundits calling for a boycott of the men's tournament.

"I would like to see more backbone from DFB president Bernd Neuendorf," Babbel, 51, told the Mannheimer Morgen newspaper on Friday.

"German officials criticize a lot, they moan about it, but they never actually do anything about FIFA awarding these tournaments. That was the case at the World Cup in Qatar and now it's exactly the same. It's embarrassing. It really annoys me. I'm even ashamed of it."

Neuendorf recently said the DFB would take a position on Saudi Arabia's bid after consulting with partners.

But Euro '96 champion Babbel added: "We're surprised that nothing is changing for the better. FIFA president Gianni Infantino is laughing his head off. At some point you have to make unpopular decisions. Otherwise you can't make a difference."