A number of supporters inside the Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar have responded to Germany's protest by reminding people of the treatment of Mesut Ozil.
Players from Hansi Flick's team covered their mouths in protest ahead of their World Cup opener against Japan, in response to FIFA's threat to sanction any player who wore the OneLove Armband. "Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position," the European side said on social media.
FIFA responded to the act, in the light of Germany considering their legal options. Now, though, supporters have opted to make reference to the treatment of Ozil, the World Cup winning playmaker who hit out at alleged racism within the squad when opting to retire from international football in 2018.
As Germany took on Spain at Al Bayt Stadium, a number of supporters in the stands could be seen covering their mouths while holding up photos of Ozil. One spectator went even further, walking around the stadium - where German supporters were present - while holding a large photo of the former Arsenal star.
"It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect," Ozil said in 2018. His final game for the German national side came against South Korea at the World Cup in Russia.
"I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don't," he added. This decision has been extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my team-mates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany.
"But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda then enough is enough. That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted."
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Ozil's former international team-mate Toni Kroos questioned the comments of the former Arsenal star, who now plays for Istanbul Basaksehir. Kroos, who plays for Real Madrid, retired from international football after Euro 2020.
"Basically, Mesut is a deserved national player and would have deserved a better exit as a footballer," the 32-year-old said back in 2018. "I have played with Mesut for many years and know that he is a nice guy.
"The way of his retirement was not okay. The proportion that is well and properly addressed in his statement is unfortunately overshadowed by the much higher proportion of nonsense.
"I think that he knows that racism does not exist within the national team and the DFB. On the contrary, we are always committed to diversity and integration. Mesut was a good example, as many of our fellow players did."
"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," the German FA tweeted on the day of the Japan game. "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."
Germany did not repeat the protest ahead of their second group game, a draw against Spain. The result at Al Bayt Stadium means Flick's side will be eliminated from the World Cup. if they fail to beat Costa Rica in their third match in the competition.
