Prohibited “One Love” armband; The German team covered their mouths in protest

Doha: After Iranian players protested without singing the national anthem, the World Cup in Qatar became the stage for yet another protest. The German team covered their mouths in protest of FIFA’s stance against the use of the One Love armband.

The German squad posed for a photo with their mouths covered before kick-off against Japan at the Khalifa Stadium in Qatar on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, German Interior Minister Nancy Fesser watched the match wearing a One Love armband alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The German Football Association also tweeted that the armband ban amounted to banning their right to free speech.

European teams have decided to take the field wearing rainbow colored One Love Armbands to protest Qatar’s stance towards the LGBTQ community. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. Seven European countries have decided to wear “One Love” bracelets at the World Cup in Qatar. The football associations of England, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Wales had planned to send their team captains wearing “One Love” armbands to Qatar’s World Cup matches. But when FIFA strengthened its stance that it will take measures including banning and displaying yellow cards against those who enter the field in this way, European clubs were forced to back down on the decision.

Under FIFA rules, players who enter the pitch wearing a kit not approved by football’s governing body will receive an immediate yellow card. If you see another yellow card during the match, you will receive a marching order.