The FIFA World Cup 2022 has been marred with controversy ever since the hosting rights was assigned to Qatar in 2010. Since then there have been reports of human rights violations, workers’ death, bribery, and many other such controversies that have soured world views about the Middle Eastern country.
The latest controversy surrounding the FIFA World Cup in Qatar is the disallowance of ‘One Love’ armbands. Notably, 7 European teams taking part in the mega event had planned to wear the ‘One Love’ armband in support of LGBTQ rights, but the Qatar regime has disallowed it at the very last moment.
Qatar which has very strict anti-homosexuality laws has banned the rainbow symbol all over the country and doesn’t allow any football fans to enter the stadium donning the seven colours.
Germany which was one of the seven countries planning to don the One Love armband has come up with a unique protest against Qatar. Ahead of their match against Japan, German players stood together with hands on their mouths. The gesture was symbolic of the Qatar regime suppressing the voices of whoever it deems not in line with its own cultural norms.
The Germany football team’s official Twitter handle wrote, “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. Together with other nations, we wanted our voices to be heard.
It continued, “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.”
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Well done Germany! Time to get creative (and bolder) @England #OneLove #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 https://t.co/Z4FH7EUJpD
— Emma Poulton (@DrPoults) November 23, 2022
FIFA’s looking like a real piece of shit for not allowing players to wear colorful “one love” arm bands. “If captains are seen wearing it, it will be an immediate yellow card.” Good on you Germany for your team photo too!
— Will (@willis2307) November 23, 2022
#Germany not letting #FIFA pretend hate, homophobia and racism don’t exist because Qatar wants them to!
“Denying us the armband (one love) is the same as denying us our voice.” pic.twitter.com/ybZ9MrKCR4
— Seth Rosenzweig (@Sethsaurus) November 23, 2022
Great result for Japan. But I bet the right-wing press will now criticise the Germany team for being too woke with their pre-match protest and not concentrating on their football.#onelove
— Peter Bone (@PeterBone1) November 23, 2022
While there were a significant number of people in support of Germany’s gesture the vast majority seemed to be of differing opinions on the issue. Many social media users reminded Germany of their poor human rights record in history. They also brought up Mesut Ozil, the Muslim football player whose career mysteriously declined after he claimed of racism in Germany.
germany talking about human rights. how ironic
— ??????? (@m0ustafa_afifi) November 23, 2022
German football when Ozel spoke out about the racism against him : pic.twitter.com/LAXw4f2vD3
— sepaey (@alielsepaey) November 23, 2022
Do Palestinians get human rights? I guess not
— ???? (@kalshihabi) November 23, 2022
Football ?? is really unpredictable ????? when Germany is concerned about one love armband japan ?? is more concerned to win. ? a big congratulations to Japan ??
— Jamesmartin Karuma (@56jameskaruma) November 23, 2022
Remember when Mesut Ozil denounced the injustice taking place with the Uyghur Muslims and defended their rights, who are human beings like you and have rights!!! What did you do after that as European federations? A media war on the player and the destruction of his career
— ?????? (@_d97s_) November 23, 2022
Hypocrites!!! I am yet to see you all make a stand against what is going on in Palestine and other countries which have been ruined.keep your rights in your country and learn to respect others for their culture and also their rights.
— Rocksteady? (@Governorjhay) November 23, 2022
