DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Germany players covered their mouths for the team photo before the World Cup opener on Wednesday in protest at FIFA after the governing body cracked down on the “One Love” banner.
The German team lined up in their traditional formation ahead of the match against Japan and all 11 players covered their mouths with their right hands in a coordinated gesture.
“It was a signal from the team, from us, that FIFA is putting a muzzle on us,” Germany coach Hansi Flick said after the match, which his side lost 2-1.
The gesture was a response to FIFA effectively scrapping plans for seven European teams to wear armbands, which was seen as a rebuke to host nation Qatar and its human rights record.
via the Associated Press
Team captains, including Germany captain Manuel Neuer, had planned to wear wristbands with the multicolored heart logo, a symbol of inclusion and diversity. But the seven associations backed down after FIFA made it clear they face consequences if they don’t.
“Our troops can be taken away, but we will never let our voices be taken away,” Neuer said. “We are for human rights. That’s what we wanted to show. We may be cut from the captain’s armband by FIFA, but we always stay true to our values.”
Neuer said the idea for the mouth-covering gesture came from the team.
“We really wanted to do something and thought about what we could do,” Neuer said. “It was clear that we wanted to send a signal.”
FIFA said Germany would not face disciplinary action for the gesture.
Against Japan, Neuer wore a FIFA-approved “No Discrimination” armband, although it was hard to see under his shirt sleeve. Neuer said he was too loose and continued to slide.
The German Football Association issued a statement on Twitter during Wednesday’s match outlining its position.
“With the captain’s armband, we wanted to send a signal for the values we live in the national team: diversity and mutual respect. To be strong with other nations.
“It is not a political message: human rights are not negotiable. It should go without saying. Unfortunately it is not yet. That’s why this message is so important to us,” the federation said. “To deny the armband is like throwing away our muzzle. Our position remains.”
Qatar has come under fire for its human rights and laws criminalizing homosexuality.
FIFA issued the warning to associations on Monday, just hours before England and Holland play with their captains wearing ‘One Love’ armbands. The governing body said the players would be shown an immediate yellow card and could face further consequences.
German football federation president Bernd Neuendorf called the warning “another low blow” from FIFA.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who also deals with sports, wore a “One Love” armband in the stands during the Germany match, where she sat next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Faeser posted a picture of him on Twitter wearing it with the hashtag #OneLove.
The DPA news agency reported that Faeser had the flare under a pink blazer that he removed in the first half of the year.
Faeser previously criticized Qatar for forcing a German fan to remove an armband and a rainbow armband in another match.
“This is not consistent with my understanding of the security guarantees given to me by the (Qatar) interior minister,” Faeser said. “Security must apply to all people. I am very disappointed by this.”
The rainbow flag is widely used as a symbol of tolerance towards sexual diversity.
Faeser said “such symbols should be openly displayed.”
In a later match, Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib wore a “One Love” armband when he met Infantino at his country’s match against Canada. And she he posted a picture of himself on Twitter wearing the headband.
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