Germany-Japan, no end to the controversy in Qatar after Fifa’s tough stance on the rainbow armband.
The controversy in Qatar has not abated as this World Cup continues to cause controversy. The picture of the German players with their hands in front of their mouths during the customary photo has been making the rounds of the world for several minutes now. A clear and unequivocal message addressed to FIFA. Which on Monday, through a controversial communiqué, had essentially prevented the captains from wearing the ‘One Love’ armband for LGBT+ rights, ‘threatening’ with a warning if they decided to contravene the rule.
Then came the very strong gesture of the German national team. Almost as if they wanted to accuse the highest international body that regulates football of having put a ‘gag’ on them so as not to displease the organising country. Also sensational was what happened before the start of the match against Japan. Surinam’s linesman Zeegelaar took care to check whether the armband worn by Germany’s goalkeeper Neuer was the one authorised by FIFA.
Germany-Japan, the German federation’s note
A choice, that of Neuer and his teammates, also fully supported by the German federation. Who a few minutes later published a note on their Twitter profile, explaining the reasons for this ‘noisy’ gesture of protest. ‘We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand on the values we have in the German national team: diversity and mutual respect,’ reads the note. ‘Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard. We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand on the values we have in the German national team: diversity and mutual respect. “
