Germany lined up in traditional formation ahead of Wednesday’s game against Japan, with 11 players each covering their mouths with their right hands.
Post Date – 11:15 PM, Wednesday – 11/23/22
Players of the German football team cover their mouths for a photo before the World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Associated Press)
Doha: German players covered their mouths ahead of the opening game of the World Cup to condemn FIFA’s plan to ban seven teams from wearing armbands, in what was seen as a rebuke of hosts Qatar’s human rights record.
Germany lined up in traditional formation ahead of Wednesday’s game against Japan, with 11 players each covering their mouths with their right hands. “It’s a signal for the team and for us that FIFA is suppressing us,” Germany coach Hansi Flick said after his side’s 2-1 loss to Japan.
The gesture came in response to FIFA’s warning to seven European confederations, including Germany, that players would be penalized if they wore colorful “One Love” armbands as a symbol of inclusion and diversity.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer and six other team captains were due to wear the armbands at the opening ceremony of the World Cup. Qatar has come under scrutiny for its human rights record and laws criminalizing homosexuality.
Football’s governing body issued the warning on Monday, hours before England and the Netherlands were due to have their captains wear the heart-shaped colorful emblem of the “One Love” campaign.
FIFA said players would be booked immediately and could face further consequences. Germany coach Hansi Flick and FA president Bernd Neuendorf were among those who criticized FIFA’s decision.
Neuendorf called the warning “another blow” from FIFA. The governing body has yet to comment on the German’s gesture on Wednesday. German Interior Minister Nancy Feiser, who is also in charge of sport, wore the “One Love” armband in the stands of the Germany-Japan match, sitting next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Faeser tweeted a photo of himself wearing it, with the hashtag #OneLove. News agency DPA reported that Feather was wearing an armband under a pink blazer that was removed in the first half.
Earlier, Feisel criticized Qatar for forcing a German fan to remove a rainbow-colored armband and headband during another match. “This is not in line with my understanding of the security guarantees given to me by the (Qatar) interior minister,” Faisel said. “Safety has to work for everyone. I’m very disappointed in that.”
The rainbow flag is widely used as a symbol of tolerance for sexual diversity. Faeser, in her view, “should be openly displaying these symbols.”
