Germany players cover mouths in team photo amid armband row

Germany players placed their hands over their mouths during a team photo ahead of their game against Japan in a World Cup Group E match on Wednesday as the row over FIFA's threat of sanctions over the "OneLove" armband continued.

All Germany players took part in the gesture in front of dozens of photographers on the pitch ahead of kickoff, after world soccer body FIFA had threatened seven European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband symbolising diversity and tolerance.

The rainbow armbands had been viewed as a symbolic protest against laws in World Cup host Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.

German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has earlier counselled the men's national team to wear the "OneLove" armband banned by FIFA. "I suppose you have to wear the armband now. I would maybe take my chances," he told German public broadcaster ZDF on Tuesday.

"I would be interested to see what the referee does when someone with the armband comes over," Habeck said.

The German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said on Wednesday that, FIFA's decision to bar players from wearing a "OneLove" armband was "very unfortunate".

"The rights of LGBTQ people are non-negotiable," he said at a regular press conference, adding that it was regrettable that "we see that it is clearly not possible at the FIFA World Cup to take a position or to show a sign of solidarity."

Captains of several European teams had planned to wear the symbol as part of a campaign for diversity during the tournament hosted by Qatar, but they have backed down over the threat of disciplinary action from FIFA, world football's governing body.

The teams have however come under fire at home for failing to take a stronger stand against FIFA's stance on the armbands.

Amid the criticism, national team director Oliver Bierhoff suggested that some action by the German players may be possible.

"We will see. This has preoccupied the players a lot," he told public broadcaster ARD on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who will attend the Germans' opening game in the Qatari capital Doha, said FIFA's ban was a "huge mistake".

Not only players, but fans too should be allowed to show pro-LGBTQ symbols "openly", she told reporters in Qatar Wednesday.

Security staff at the tournament have ordered spectators to remove items of clothing featuring rainbow logos.

Supporters should "make a decision for themselves" about whether they wanted to wear the symbols, Faeser said.

Meanwhile, Germany's top-selling Bild daily also urged the German team to make a public stand for diversity.

In a commentary, it said the "courage trophy" can be won by those "who gives this World Cup back its dignity".

"A team that wears the 'OneLove' armband and which doesn't simply caves in. A fan terrace that appears in rainbow colours, a sportsman who turns his national anthem in a song that honours both his country and freedom," it said.

(Reuters and AFP)