Forward of their recreation in opposition to Japan on the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, gamers from Crew Germany assembled on the pitch and coated their mouths in an act of protest.
The gamers had been upset that soccer governing physique FIFA had earlier stopped captains from a number of European groups from sporting armbands in assist of the LGBTQ neighborhood.
“We needed to make use of our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we maintain within the Germany nationwide crew: range and mutual respect. Along with different nations, we needed our voice to be heard,” the crew mentioned in an announcement posted to their official Twitter account.
“It wasn’t about making a political assertion – human rights are non-negotiable. That ought to be taken with no consideration, however it nonetheless isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so essential to us,” the crew mentioned. “Denying us the armband is identical as denying us a voice. We stand by our place.”
