The Germany team lined up in the traditional formation before its game against Japan and all 11 players covered their mouths with their right hands in a coordinated gesture. The gesture was a response to FIFA’s effective nixing of seven European teams’ plans to wear armbands that were seen as a rebuke to host nation Qatar and its human rights record. “We stand for human rights. Advertisement“It’s not a political message: human rights are nonnegotiable. Our stance stands.”Qatar has been under scrutiny for its human rights record and laws criminalizing homosexuality.

Source: Huffington Post November 24, 2022 21:50 UTC