German national team shows support for LGBTQ community during World Cup protest
The German national soccer team on Wednesday protested silently prior to their match against Japan at the 2022 World Cup, as controversy continues to brew around FIFA's hesitancy to support LGBTQ symbolism at the games.
Before kickoff, the starting 11 players of the German team posed for a picture in which they covered their mouths as a form of silent protest, NBC News reported. The move was made in defiance of host country Qatar, which has long been criticized for its poor record on human rights and treatment of LGBTQ people.
Germany was originally among seven European teams that planned to have their captains wear "OneLove" armbands that symbolized the acceptance of the LGBTQ community. However, the clubs backed down from this plan after FIFA threatened to penalize any teams that wore the armbands.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Angered by FIFA's decision, the German national team posted a message on Twitter after the photo was taken. "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," the team tweeted. "Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard."
"It wasn't about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable," the team added. "Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position."
Reuters also reported that German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wore the armband in the stands during the game, while sitting next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 17, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - history repeating, the Pope's white flag, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Derelict homes, Welsh mines, and vinyl
Podcast What can we do about abandoned property? Are old mines still doing us harm? And what do LP sales tell us about the economy?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Dresden: on the trail of a Romantic icon in Germany
the week recommends The Saxon city celebrates the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich this year
By The Week UK Published
-
Iowa's Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA scoring record
speed read College basketball star Caitlin Clark set the new record in Iowa's defeat of Ohio State
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Eight-year-old Brit Bodhana Sivanandan makes chess history
Speed Read Sivanandan has been described as a 'phenomenon' by chess masters
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Saudi Arabia's 2034 World Cup: glitz, glamour and 'grimly inevitable'
Talking Point Critics claim country is guilty of sportswashing as it stands unopposed to host tournament
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Watch Simone Biles win her record 8th US gymnastics championship
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Spain beats England 1-0 to win its first Women's World Cup
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
US knocked out of Women's World Cup in stunning exit
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Katie Ledecky surpasses Michael Phelps for most world championship titles
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Who will win the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup?
The Explainer The global tournament has kicked off in New Zealand
By Justin Klawans Published