Forward of their sport in opposition to Japan on the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, gamers from Group Germany assembled on the pitch and lined their mouths in an act of protest.
The gamers have been upset that soccer governing physique FIFA had earlier stopped captains from a number of European groups from carrying armbands in assist of the LGBTQ group.
“We needed to make use of our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we maintain within the Germany nationwide group: range and mutual respect. Along with different nations, we needed our voice to be heard,” the group stated in an announcement posted to their official Twitter account.
“It wasn’t about making a political assertion – human rights are non-negotiable. That ought to be taken as a right, nevertheless it nonetheless isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so vital to us,” the group stated. “Denying us the armband is similar as denying us a voice. We stand by our place.”