Germany players cover mouths in team photo to protest against FIFA ban on ‘OneLove’ armband

All the players took part in the gesture after FIFA threatened 7 European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband symbolising diversity and tolerance.

Germany players cover their mouths as they pose for a team group photo ahead of their game against Japan, on 23 November 2022 | Image via Twitter/@DFB_Team_EN

Doha: Germany players placed their hands over their mouths during a team photo ahead of their game against Japan in a World Cup Group E match on Wednesday as the row over FIFA’s threat of sanctions over the “OneLove” armband continued.

All Germany players took part in the gesture in front of dozens of photographers on the pitch ahead of kickoff, after world soccer body FIFA had threatened seven European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband symbolising diversity and tolerance.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

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