“Stand up!”
The Germany players covered their mouths as they posed for their team photo before their opening World Cup game against Japan, in an apparent protest against FIFA.
The protest was against FIFA’s ruling on the One Love armbands that the captains of several national sides competing at the World Cup – including Germany, England and Wales – had planned to wear at the tournament, to promote diversity and inclusion.
But they were forced to abandon these plans in their games on Monday when FIFA revealed that any players wearing the armbands would receive an automatic yellow card.
In an apparent protest against this decision, all of the Germany players covered their mouths in the team photo for their Group E opener against Japan at the the Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
In a statement following the gesture, the German FA, the DFB, tweeted: It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable.
“That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.
“Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.”
It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.
Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position. pic.twitter.com/tiQKuE4XV7
— germanfootball_dfb (@DFB_Team_EN) November 23, 2022
Germany's team photo before their match vs. Japan 🤭 pic.twitter.com/scBY1enYKV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 23, 2022
Germany with a clear message to FIFA in their team photo after not being allowed to wear the OneLove🏳️🌈 armband. 🤐#GER | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/LV4TkgJK1R
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 23, 2022
The DFB has been very vocal in its criticism of FIFA’s decision to ban the One Love armbands.
On Tuesday, it was reported that they were exploring possible legal action against FIFA for its decision.
Germany are refusing to accept the decision, with Bild reporting the DFB could take the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
They claimed that nations planning to wear the armbands were threatened with “extreme blackmail” and “massive sanctions.”
Ahead of the country’s World Cup opener with Japan on Wednesday, spokesman Steffen Simon told the outlet that the DFB are checking whether FIFA had legal grounds to impose the ban.
“FIFA has banned us from showing a symbol of diversity and human rights. They combined this ban with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal.”
Roy Keane says Germany gesture “a start” but wants more protests.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes that the German players could have done even more in their protest.
“It’s a gesture and it’s a start but I still think they can do a lot more. they’re saying they’re being silenced – by who? By who?
“The most important thing in football is the supporters and the players. Use their voice. Use their voice.
“Wear the armband! Stand up, we always say that leadership is about action. Go and do it! Listen it’s a gesture and it’s a start, but they can do more.”
Related links:
- FIFA charge Ecuador over fan chants during World Cup opening game
- World Cup 2022: Day Four – the latest from Qatar
- Belgium banned from wearing second shirt by FIFA for new reason
