Germany captured the world’s attention ahead of its World Cup match against Japan as the starting XI covered their mouths with their hands as a form of protest.
It happened in wake of FIFA deciding to prevent team captains from wearing the “OneLove” armband, which has a striped heart with various colors to promote inclusion and raise awareness for marginalized groups. Germany’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer told The Athletic, “We said they can take our armband, but as much as FIFA might want to, they will never silence us. We stand for our values and for human rights.