Germany 's players covered their mouths for a pre-match team photo ahead of their World Cup opener against Japan in a suggestion that FIFA have been trying to silence them.
Hansi Flick's side also warmed up in training shirts with rainbow coloured sleeves following threats from FIFA to sanction players should they make any political statements during the controversial tournament in Qatar. Germany had been among the seven nations who were planning to wear the 'OneLove' rainbow armband to express solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, showing that football is for everyone.
There was support in the stands too, with German interior minister Nancy Faeser wearing the OneLove armband in the stands as she watched the clash with Japan. Shortly after the pre-match protest, the German FA tweeted: "We wanted to use our captain's armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.
"It wasn't about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn't the case. That's why this message is so important to us. Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.
Ahead of kick-off, a linesman was spotted checking that captain Manuel Neuer wasn't wearing the OneLove armband, which the Bayern Munich goalkeeper had been rumoured to be wearing.
A report in German media outlet Bild made waves on on Tuesday, as it claimed that the DFB are weighing up whether to take legal action against FIFA amid the fallout. It's outlined that such a decision could be taken to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport.
DFB Spokesman Steffen Simon was quoted as saying: "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."
The president of the German FA, Bernd Neuendorf, has since accused FIFA of an "unprecedented demonstration of power" after players like Harry Kane and Gareth Bale didn't wear the OneLove armband in Qatar following decisions from their respective FAs. "FIFA have prevented a statement for human rights and diversity. These are values that they pledge to uphold in their own statues," Neuendorf declared.
"That's more than frustrating, and unprecedented. In our view, this is a show of power from FIFA. They told us we were facing sporting sanctions (for wearing the armband). A remarkable event, a few hours before Harry Kane and Virgil Van Dijk were to step on the pitch.
"We didn't want this conflict being fought on the backs of the players and expose players to this risk. They can take our arm band but we will continue to express the values we stand for. It was right to take the decision together with the other Europeans. We had told FIFA of our plan to wear the armband months ago, but we never heard back from them. Timing seemed deliberate."
Germany national team director Oliver Bierhoff went on to say: "FIFA's behaviour is frustrating for us. This escalation means it's not about sport. We are angry. It's a difficult situation for Manuel Neuer too. We didn't want to go it alone. Manuel is disappointed. He wanted to wear the armband. We don’t see it as a political statement but a fundamental right which should be beyond debate."
Danish football federation chief executive Jakob Jensen says the group of nations who sought to wear the OneLove armband, which includes England and Wales, are co-ordinating their discussions on legal next steps after FIFA forced them to drop their plans.
Jensen says the group of seven European associations are looking at which legal avenues are open to them after it became clear they faced sporting sanctions from FIFA if the rainbow-coloured bands were worn.
However, he ruled out going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport at this stage. He said in a television interview: "Now we're looking into what are the legal options, we are co-ordinating our discussions on that as well, but at this point it is not possible to go to CAS. You can’t go through CAS now and I think this is some rumour running around the press.
"The Germans are looking into the legal possibilities. It’s very different than going through CAS. If you want to go through CAS you need to complain within the FIFA system first, you need to go to the appeals body, then you can go through CAS."
