Football fans have praised Germany for their “powerful gesture” after they covered their mouths for a World Cup photograph in protest at being blocked from wearing an anti-discrimination armband. The national team players made the gesture as they prepared for kick-off in their opening match against Japan at the Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday.
It followed a joint statement from seven European nations – including Germany, England and Wales – to drop plans to wear the OneLove armband after threats of sporting sanctions from FIFA. The German football federation, the DFB, said on Twitter: “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect.
“Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard. 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.
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“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.”
Fans were full of praise for the German team for their “courageous” and “powerful gesture.” On Twitter, @Kara_Ashley_5 said: “It’s awesome to see a team have the backbone to protest even if it’s just a small gesture. Major props to Germany, well done.”
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— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN)
@MattheWithTheW echoed: “Respect for the Germany football team, they had the courage to do a great gesture of solidarity.”
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England fans took the opportunity to urge their team to “take note” and follow the Germans’ example. @montydrpepper said: “Well done Germany. Proper way to make a statement #onelovearmband @England about time to follow suit."
@discountdave69 said: “If everyone wears the armband at every match and every opportunity there won’t be a #WorldCup2022. I hope @EnglandFootball take note.”
@MattRead66 added: “An obvious response to FIFA’s directives by Germany, but a powerful one.
“England shouldn’t shift their focus off from why they are in Qatar (football), but a simple extension of this gesture would be both simple and effective.”
England were hours from kick-off in their opening match against Iran on Monday when the seven nations issued their joint statement to say the plans to wear the rainbow-coloured armband were being abandoned. It followed FIFA having raised the threat of yellow cards being shown to the captains wearing them.
The wearing of the band is part of a year-long campaign which began in September but was set to be especially significant in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are criminalised. Danish FA chief executive Jakob Jensen said the group were now exploring the legal options open to them, but at this stage they could not go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport without first exhausting other options.
The PA news agency understands lawyers are looking at the regulations to examine the sanctions the associations were threatened with. While that in itself is not a major escalation, Germany’s move certainly is and could attract disciplinary action from FIFA which would send the row spiralling on.
Danish FA chairman Peter Moller also said earlier on Wednesday his organisation was considering leaving FIFA altogether, and had been since August. In quotes reported by The Athletic, he said: “It is not a decision that has been made now.
“We have been clear about this for a long time. We have been discussing it in the Nordic region since August.
“I’ve thought [about] it again. I imagine that there may be challenges if Denmark leaves on its own. But let us see if we cannot have a dialogue on things.”
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