FIFA won't take any action against Germany after their protests in their World Cup opener.
The 2014 world champions suffered a shock loss to Japan, but it was their actions before kick-off that grabbed the headlines. The team took a photo in which all 11 players covered their mouths in protest after being denied the chance to wear the One Love armband.
Several players also wore rainbow laces as the issues of gay rights continued to be highlighted. Qatar, a country where homosexuality is illegal, has called on the world to respect their culture and there have been example of rainbow-coloured items being banned from stadiums and confiscated from fans.
FIFA banned several nations, including England and Wales, from wearing the One Love armband and the actions of Germany's players was in response to that - but they will not be punished according to the Times. The Germany national team said on social media: "Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position."
Germany's FA are considering whether or not they can take legal action against FIFA for denying them the chance to wear the armband. A DFB spokesman Steffen Simon said: "FIFA has banned us from showing a symbol of diversity and human rights. They combined this ban with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal."
Head coach Hansi Flick, leading his country at their first major tournament, claimed his side wanted to make a point and were not impressed by the threats handed out for wearing the armband.
Should countries be allowed to wear the One Love armband? Tell us what you think here.
"The reason for the armband was that the team wanted to make a point," said the former Bayern Munich boss. "FIFA put a stop to it and threatened punishments if it was on display. For those countries that played yesterday, it was extremely short notice. The armband is a symbol for diversity and values which we represent and live by.
"We treat each other with a great deal of respect and esteem, but as far as those values are concerned, there are parties who don’t see it that way. Yellow cards wouldn’t have been a problem, but the manner in which it was left open and threatened so shortly before the game put the likes of England and the Netherlands in a difficult position.
"There wasn’t any time to react to it; therefore those countries said that we will remove that pressure from the players’ shoulders. I think it’s a real shame that you aren’t allowed to stand up for human rights any more."
