Germany will face no disciplinary action after Hansi Flick's team covered their mouths during their team photo against Japan in protest against FIFA's decision to ban the OneLove armband at the World Cup in Qatar. The 2014 world champions were one of seven nations set to wear the armband in support of the LGBTQ+ community before they were told that captain Manuel Neuer could face a one-match ban if he donned the colourful symbol of inclusion.
FIFA's decision to ban the armband has been fiercely scrutinised and the timing of the call, which came just hours before England's World Cup opener against Iran on Monday, has left managers and players at the tournament scratching their heads in frustration.
Initially, it had been suggested that captains could be booked for the political gesture but further details emerged confirming the players were actually threatened with bans - backing countries into a corner.
Shortly after Germany's gesture, the German Football Association issued the following statement: “With our captain’s armband, we wanted to set an example for values that we live in the national team: Diversity and mutual respect. Being loud together with other nations.”
“Human rights are not negotiable,” the statement added, and “denying us the armband is like denying us a voice. We stand by our position."
Germany covered their mouths in a stand against FIFA's decision to ban the OneLove armband (Image: GETTY)
Germany's gesture was an act of protest against FIFA but they will face no ban (Image: Getty)
England fans face ban on singing as Qatari cops clamp down on chanting after complaints
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Thousands of supporters have made the trek over to the Middle East to cheer on Gareth Southgate's side, who got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start on Monday.
Remarkably, Neuer's armband was even checked by one of the match officials in Doha before kick-off as he took his place between the goalposts.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wore the OneLove armband while watching the game back in her homeland in a show of support for inclusion and diversity.
Prior to FIFA's ban of the armband, the Bayern Munich goalkeeper declared he was not afraid of facing punishment for the gesture.
He said earlier this week: "We have the support of the DFB, therefore we are not afraid of the consequences."
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Qatar World Cup 2022 stadium guide
There will be eight stadiums used across Qatar in the World Cup 2022, hosting a total of 64 games.
They are
Lusail Stadium | Lusail - Capacity: 80,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
1x Quarter-Final
1x Semi-Final
Final
Al Bayt Stadium | Al Khor - Capacity: 60,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
1x Quarter-Final
1x Semi-Final
Al Janoub Stadium | Al Wakrah - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium | Al Rayyan - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Khalifa International Stadium | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Match for Third Place
Education City Stadium | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
1x Quarter-Final
Stadium 974 | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats
5x Group Matches
1x Round of 16
Al Thumama Stadium | Doha - Capacity: 40,000 seats