Before the opening whistle of the match between Germany and Japan on Wednesday, German players staged another form of protest at the 2022 World Cup.
This time, during the usual photo of the starting eleven, the athletes covered their mouths. On social networks, the federation justified the act with the “willingness of its voice to be heard” after refusing to wear the special captain’s armband in support of the LGBTQI+ community.
“This is not about making a political statement: human rights are not negotiable. This should be guaranteed, but it is not yet, which is why this message is so important to us,” the statement read.
During the ceremony to exchange pennants between teams, it was also noted that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, named German captain for Wednesday’s game, covered the armband under his shirt. However, before the start of the game, lineman Zachari Zeegelaar ran to the goal to check that the goalkeeper was wearing it, but it was the “non-discrimination” banner, accepted by FIFA.
The Bayern Munich player and world champion with Germany in 2014 also attended the game wearing rainbow boots.
This is one more episode of protest at the 2022 World Cup. This Monday, the match between England and Iran also had support for the demonstrations against the Tehran government.
Source: TSF
