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Germany stage alternative protest after FIFA ban OneLove armband.
In opposition to FIFA’s restriction on wearing the OneLove armband, Germany players covered their mouths during their team photo before their opening World Cup group stage match against Japan.
One day into the competition, Manuel Neuer and the captains of nine other UEFA nations received warnings that they would receive bookings if they chose to wear the armband in place of FIFA’s prescribed one.
Players, coaches, and spectators all harshly criticized the choice. Harry Kane of England claimed that he wanted to be the captain but that the decision was made without consulting him. Meanwhile, Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen held a scary press conference in which he implied that players feel like they are being controlled.
Before his team’s match against Japan, Germany manager Hansi Flick indicated that his starting XI will be posing for a team photo while covering their mouths as an alternate form of protest.
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“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,” the German national team said on Twitter.
“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.”
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.
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 23, 2022
The German FA was reportedly considering suing FIFA for pulling the rug out from under them in the armband controversy earlier this week.
Since then, the Danish FA has announced that, along with other UEFA countries, they may quit FIFA in protest of this week’s events.