The silent protest of the German national soccer team against the world association Fifa at the World Cup in Qatar has no consequences. According to information from the German Press Agency, the Fifa Disciplinary Commission will not initiate any proceedings. The DFB-Elf around captain Manuel Neuer on the pitch as well as the substitutes and the support staff had demonstratively covered their mouths before the 1: 2 against Japan on Wednesday.
“We may let our bandages be taken, but we will never let our voice be taken away. And our values,” said Neuer after the game. “It should have been a sign from us as a team that Fifa is silencing us,” said national coach Hansi Flick.
Fifa had banned the “One Love” captain’s armband from Neuer and six other European team captains at the World Cup in Qatar. Instead, Neuer wore the “No Discrimination” bandage specified by Fifa against Japan, which is intended to stand against discrimination of any kind. The world association had threatened sporting sanctions in the event that the multicolored “One Love” captain’s armband was worn at the World Cup games.
