Germany coach Hansi Flick confirmed after the Manschafts lost to their Japanese counterpart in the World Cup final in Qatar that his country’s players covered their mouths before kickoff was scheduled. convey a message to world public opinion.
Germany players put their hands to their mouths during an official photo ahead of their match against Team Samurai at the opening of Group E competition to protest the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA)’s refusal to allow their team captain to wear the “One Love” badge to support the LGBT community .
The leaders of seven European teams intended to wear the badges as part of a non-discrimination campaign during the tournament in Qatar, but the move was thwarted after FIFA threatened disciplinary action.
Flick said at a press conference that they wanted with this move to “deliver the message that they were forced to remain silent by FIFA”.
The German coach dismissed what had been said that one of the main reasons for the surprise loss to Japan was that his country’s Football Association was focusing on other matters off the pitch, stating: “It’s a cheap and unacceptable excuse.”
The German national team previously announced via their Twitter account: “We wanted to use our captaincy to express our attitude towards the values we stand for in the German national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other countries, we wanted our voice to be heard.”
“It was not about a political position – human rights are non-negotiable. This should be taken for granted, but it is not. That’s why this message is so important to us.”
On the other hand, The Times reported that the associations of the seven European teams banned by FIFA from wearing the LGBT support badge intend to sue FIFA.
In this regard, Danish Football Association CEO Jakob Jensen confirmed that his country, along with Belgium, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Wales, has announced that it is exploring legal options regarding suing FIFA and legal ways achieve this.
The Danish Football Association also announced that it would not support the re-election of Gianni Infantino as FIFA President in the upcoming elections due to the ban on wearing the “One Love” badge.
