2022 FIFA World Cup: Germany protest FIFA’s clamping down on ‘One Love’ captains’ armband

Photo Credit: Germany Football Team

By Rubén Morales Iglesias:

Before their World Cup opener against Japan, which they surprisingly lost 2-1, the German national football team made a silent protest against FIFA’s ban on the “One Love” captain’s armband by all starting 11 players covering their mouths when the pre-game photo was taken.

When seven national teams, in support of the LGBTQ rights, planned to have their captains wear the ‘One Love’ rainbow armband, FIFA, whose rules dictate that players can only wear what is authorized as part of their team uniforms, said that all players who wore the armbands would immediately be given a yellow card. So, the seven countries desisted.

But today, before the match when the traditional pre-match photo was being taken, all 11 German players placed their right hands over their mouths in protest against FIFA silencing them.

“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,” said the Germany Football Team on social media.

“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.”