Germany made a powerful statement ahead of their opening World Cup game against Japan last month.
Manuel Neuer intended to wear the ‘OneLove’ armband throughout the tournament.
The armband is multicoloured, features a heart in the middle and was created ‘to promote unity and stand against discrimination.’
However, amid threats he could be punished if he sported the armband, Neuer chose not to do so.
Instead, Neuer and the 10 others players in Germany’s starting XI staged a protest by covering their mouths with their hands in their pre-match photo.
A statement from Germany following the match read: “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 voice to be heard.
“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.”
Some players didn’t want to take part in protest
Reports emerged after the protest that some players did not want to partake.
According to Sport 1, per The Madrid Zone, Ilkay Gundogan and Antonio Rudiger were both against the protest.
While Joshua Kimmich and Jonas Hoffman were among the players to speak out about the need to concentrate on football rather than politics.
It has now been reported by German broadcaster Ard, per BILD, that only Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka spoke out in favor of the campaign.
The rest favoured not doing anything.
Sport 1 have now revealed details about a meeting between seven of Germany’s leading players before the match.
Neuer and Goretzka were present, with the other five unnamed players reluctant to join in.
One is even claimed to have left the meeting early as he was “not in the mood” to deal with political issues.
The majority of the players who were not involved in the discussion were said to be ‘surprised’ when told them they had to put their hands over their mouths before the game against Japan.
An anonymous source close to a national player even claims: “It was peer pressure!”
Germany knocked out of the World Cup at the group stages
Germany went on to have another disastrous campaign as they were knocked out at the group stages for the second consecutive World Cup.
Germany took a one-goal lead over Japan but went on to lose 2-1.
Despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their final group game, Germany missed out on the last 16 due to goal difference.
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