The lost opening game of the German national team against Japan at the World Cup in Qatar offers plenty of room for attack shortly after the final whistle. So much that the befitting network malice cannot be pinned down to a single moment: the “One Love” bandage that cannot be found on the field, which somehow only made it onto women’s arms. The eleven men on the pitch who bravely covered their mouths before kick-off. Or would you prefer the sporting oath of disclosure that led to the 1:2 defeat? A cross section of Twitter.
The question of whether Manuel Neuer (36), as captain of the DFB-Elf, would wear the “One Love” bandage and accept a yellow card for it, was answered early on. Instead of Neuer, the respect of many users now goes to Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (52), who sat down in the stands next to Fifa boss Gianni Infantino (52) with the said bandage. Twitter predicate: More middle fingers in the direction of the controversial Infantino is not possible: “So far, without exception, women have won this World Cup,” agrees another user.
Instead of the captain’s armband, the national team had come up with another sign of protest: they all covered their mouths for the team photo – as a symbol that they were being silenced by Fifa? Some saw something different behind it: “11 courageous gentlemen are protesting here against the abolition of the mask requirement in public transport in Bavaria. Thanks for the sign!”, A Twitter user wrote about the photo in question.
In any case, satirist Oliver Kalkofe (57) did not go far enough in this protest, as he made it unmistakably clear: “With a small, clear sign and a thimble of courage against the unjust regime
The gag writers of the “ZDF Today Show” believe that the bankruptcy was the actual coup and “the next big gesture: the German team intentionally loses in the opening game to point out grievances in Qatar.” Another post went a little further: “The German national team is consistent and shows that they
The stroke of genius behind the initial defeat for future protests: “Fifa can’t deduct points from you if you don’t have any points. Clever.”
Despite all the sometimes highly questionable prophecies of doom, it must be said that the international press, for example from England and Italy, recognized the “mouth closed” action by the German national team as a “strong” and “powerful gesture” against the tutelage by Fifa Has.
