But even as German rugby gathered momentum, so did the slide towards war. Only a year after the triumphs of 1938, many of the players became caught up in deadly confrontations, starting with ...

It extended the so-called “firewall,” a blockade against far-right groups that German politicians have kept in place since after World War II, but which has become increasingly tenuous.

In a direct reply on X more than three hours later, the German Foreign Office pushed back. “This is democracy. This decision is the result of a thorough & independent investigation to protect our ...