Germany's players covered their mouths for their team photo before their opening World Cup match in a rebuke of FIFA for its clampdown on seven teams' plans to wear armbands that were seen as a rebuke to host nation Qatar鈥檚 human rights record.The Germany team lined up in the traditional formation before Wednesday鈥檚 game against Japan and each of the 11 players covered their mouth with their right hand.鈥淚t was a sign from the team, from us, that FIFA is muzzling us,鈥� Germany coach Hansi Flick said after his team's 2-1 loss to Japan.The gesture was a response to FIFA鈥檚 warning to the seven European federations, including Germany鈥檚, that players would be penalized if they wore colorful 鈥淥ne Love鈥� armbands as a symbol for inclusion and diversity. Germany captain Manuel Neuer and the other six team captains had planned to wear the armbands for their opening games at the World Cup.Qatar has been under scrutiny for its human rights record and laws criminalizing homosexuality.Soccer's governing body issued the warning Monday just hours before England and the Netherlands were set to play with their captains wearing the heart-shaped, multicolored logo of the 鈥淥ne Love鈥� campaign. FIFA said the players would immediately be shown a yellow card and could face further consequences.Germany coach Hansi Flick and soccer federation president Bernd Neuendorf were among those to criticize FIFA鈥檚 decision.Neuendorf called the warning 鈥渁nother low blow鈥� from FIFA. The governing body hasn't commented on Wednesday's gesture by the Germans.German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who is also responsible for sports, wore a 鈥淥ne Love鈥� armband in the stands at the Germany-Japan game, where she was sitting beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Faeser tweeted a photo of herself wearing it with the hashtag #OneLove.News agency DPA reported Faeser had the armband on under a pink blazer that she took off during the first half.Earlier, Faeser criticized Qatar for forcing a German fan to remove a rainbow-colored armband and headband at another game.鈥淭his is not in line with my understanding of the security guarantees that I was given by the (Qatari) interior minister,鈥� Faeser said. 鈥淪ecurity must apply to all people. I鈥檓 very disappointed about this.鈥漈he rainbow flag is a widely used as a symbol of tolerance with regard to sexual diversity.Faeser said in her opinion 鈥渟uch symbols should be openly shown.鈥�
DOHA, Qatar — Germany's players covered their mouths for their team photo before their opening match in a rebuke of that were seen as a rebuke to host nation Qatar鈥檚 human rights record.
The Germany team lined up in the traditional formation before Wednesday鈥檚 game against Japan and each of the 11 players covered their mouth with their right hand.
鈥淚t was a sign from the team, from us, that FIFA is muzzling us,鈥� Germany coach Hansi Flick said after .
The gesture was a response to FIFA鈥檚 warning to the seven European federations, including Germany鈥檚, that players would be penalized if they wore colorful 鈥淥ne Love鈥� armbands as a symbol for inclusion and diversity. Germany captain Manuel Neuer and the other six team captains had planned to wear the armbands for their opening games at the World Cup.
Ebrahim Noroozi
Players from Germany pose for the team photo as they cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022.
Qatar has been under scrutiny for its human rights record and laws criminalizing homosexuality.
Soccer's governing body issued the warning Monday just hours before England and the Netherlands were set to play with their captains wearing the heart-shaped, multicolored logo of the 鈥淥ne Love鈥� campaign. FIFA said the players would immediately be shown a yellow card and could face further consequences.
Germany coach Hansi Flick and soccer federation president Bernd Neuendorf were among those to criticize FIFA鈥檚 decision.
Neuendorf called the warning 鈥渁nother low blow鈥� from FIFA. The governing body hasn't commented on Wednesday's gesture by the Germans.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who is also responsible for sports, wore a 鈥淥ne Love鈥� armband in the stands at the Germany-Japan game, where she was sitting beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Faeser with the hashtag #OneLove.
News agency DPA reported Faeser had the armband on under a pink blazer that she took off during the first half.
Earlier, Faeser criticized Qatar for forcing a German fan to remove a rainbow-colored armband and headband at another game.
鈥淭his is not in line with my understanding of the security guarantees that I was given by the (Qatari) interior minister,鈥� Faeser said. 鈥淪ecurity must apply to all people. I鈥檓 very disappointed about this.鈥�
The rainbow flag is a widely used as a symbol of tolerance with regard to sexual diversity.
Faeser said in her opinion 鈥渟uch symbols should be openly shown.鈥�
