All the players of the German national team covered their mouths with their hands in a team photo before the start of today's 2022 World Cup match against Japan.
Team Germany before the match against Japan at the 2022 World CupSuch a gesture is caused by the ban on wearing the rainbow headband in World Cup matches. This has already been reported by the press service of the German national team.
“We wanted to use this captaincy to uphold the values we share in the German national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
This is not a political message at all, as human rights are non-negotiable. This should be taken for granted, but it still isn't. That's why this gesture was so important to us. Denying us an armband is the same as shutting our mouths. We stand on our position," the press service of the German national team said in a statement.
