Germany’s Nancy Faeser wears the OneLove armband, sits next to Infantino
While Germany’s players covered their mouths ahead of their game against Japan to stand for their values, Nancy Faeser did something even louder
In a form of protesting against the OneLove armband ban, Germany players placed their hands over their mouths during a team photo ahead of their World Cup Group E game against Japan on Wednesday.
The move comes after FIFA threatened seven European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband, which simply symbolizes diversity and tolerance.
To be even louder, Germany interior minister Nancy Faeser, sported the armband as she sat next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the stands.
Armband or no armband, we stand by our position
Earlier, Faeser made it clear that she didn’t stand by FIFA’s decision, of putting federations under that sort of pressure.
“In today’s times it is incomprehensible that FIFA does not want people to openly stand for tolerance and against discrimination. It does not fit in our times and it is not appropriate towards people,” Faeser said during a visit to a German FA event in Doha, before the game.
Related: Why are World Cup captains not wearing rainbow armbands? Immediate and harsh reaction
Human rights are non-negotiable
A statement from the German Football Association (DFB) said: “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.
“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.”
It is against the law to be homosexual in Qatar.