Forward of their sport in opposition to Japan on the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, gamers from Staff Germany assembled on the pitch and coated their mouths in an act of protest.
The gamers have been upset that soccer governing physique FIFA had earlier stopped captains from a number of European groups from carrying armbands in help of the LGBTQ neighborhood.
“We wished to make use of our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we maintain within the Germany nationwide group: variety and mutual respect. Along with different nations, we wished our voice to be heard,” the group mentioned in a press release posted to their official Twitter account.
“It wasn’t about making a political assertion – human rights are non-negotiable. That must be taken without any consideration, nevertheless it nonetheless isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so vital to us,” the group mentioned. “Denying us the armband is similar as denying us a voice. We stand by our place.”
