Germany players covered their mouths during their team photo prior to their Group E game against Japan, in order to mark their protest against the OneLove armband ban.
After FIFA threatened seven European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband symbolising diversity and tolerance, all German players took part in the gesture in front of dozens of photographers on the pitch before kickoff.
Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who was sitting in the stands next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, wore an armband as she spoke with the football administrator.
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.
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 23, 2022
Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position. pic.twitter.com/tiQKuE4XV7
She had already reprimanded FIFA, calling the threat of punishment an error and unacceptable conduct.
During a visit to a German FA event in Doha before the game, Faeser said, "This is not okay, how federations are being put under pressure.
"It is unfathomable in today's world that FIFA would not want individuals to publicly support tolerance and fight against prejudice. It does not reflect the times we live in and is not humane.
"We wanted to use our captain's armband to take a position for ideals that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect," the German Football Association (DFB) stated in a statement. We desired that our voice be heard together with that of other countries.
"Making a political statement wasn't the goal because human rights are unalienable. Even while that ought to be common knowledge, it still isn't. This is why we consider this message to be so crucial. Giving us the armband without giving us a voice is the same thing. We maintain our stance."
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