All of Germany’s players took part in the gesture in front of dozens of photographers on the pitch before kick-off for a World Cup Group E match on Wednesday at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.
While, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wore the ‘One Love’ armband while sitting next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the stadium.
German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf (left) and German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, wearing a OneLove braceletduring fifa world cup. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
The German football federation tweeted moments after the photo protest that “human rights are not negotiable”.
“This is not a political position; human rights are not negotiable,” the DFB tweeted.
It was not about making a political statement: human rights are not negotiable. This should be taken for granted, b… https://t.co/mMyhV8SdND
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) 1669209356000
“Banning the armband is like banning our right to speak,” the federation added.
The world football body FIFA had threatened seven European clubs with sanctions if they wore the armband that symbolizes diversity and tolerance.
Homosexuality it is illegal in Qatar.
Previously, Faeser had criticized FIFA, saying the threat of sanctions was a mistake and unacceptable behaviour.
“This is not good, as the federations are being put under pressure,” Faeser said during a visit to a German FA event in Doha ahead of the match.
“In today’s times it is incomprehensible that FIFA doesn’t want people to openly stand up for tolerance and against discrimination. It doesn’t fit our times and it’s not appropriate towards people.”
A statement from the German Football Association (DFB) read: “We wanted to use our captaincy to defend the values we have in the German 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 not negotiable. This should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t. That’s why this message is so important to us. Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand our ground.”
(With contributions from the Agencies)