German players cover their faces ahead of World Cup match in protest
Germany players cover their faces during the team’s first pre-match photo at the World Cup amid FIFA’s crackdown on plans to wear armbands to protest discrimination in host country Qatar method of condemnation. The team lined up in the traditional way before Wednesday’s match against Japan, but all 11 players covered their mouths with their right hands. It appears that this was a response to FIFA’s warning to the seven European federations, including Germany.
FIFA had said players would be penalized for wearing the colorful ‘One Love’ armband as a symbol of inclusion and diversity. These seven team captains were planned to wear armbands. Qatar has been under scrutiny for its human rights record and laws criminalizing homosexuality. Football’s world governing body FIFA issued the warning on Monday hours after the first of the seven team captains was to step off wearing an armband. FIFA said players would be shown an immediate yellow card. Germany’s coach Hansi Flick and the president of the football federation, Bernd Neuendorff, were among those who criticized FIFA’s decision.
