Ken Early: Germany’s protest was admirable but sponsors could look closer to home

German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf and German federal minister of the interior and community Nancy Faeser, wearing a One Love armband, speak during the World Cup game between Germany and Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty ImagesGermany captain Manuel Neuer followed Harry Kane, Virgil van Dijk, Gareth Bale and Simon Kjær in not wearing the One Love armband during his country’s World Cup opener versus Japan.

Instead, the German players posed for the team photo with their hands over their mouths. “This is not about a political message: human rights are non-negotiable,” the German FA said in a tweet. “That should go without saying. Unfortunately it still isn’t. That is why this message is so important to us. Banning us from the bandage is like banning our mouths. Our stance stands.”

After joining the six other countries in backing down over the armband, Germany had faced considerable public pressure to register some kind of protest. The Qatar World Cup has been unpopular in Germany, with viewing figures for the opening game down more than 40 per cent on 2018. Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck said that in his opinion, Neuer should wear the armband. Interior minister Nancy Faeser was in the stadium, wearing one.

There had also been pressure from sponsors. The day before the game, the giant German retail chain Rewe announced it was dropping its sponsorship of the German national team in protest at their decision not to wear the armband. “We stand up for diversity – and football is also diversity. We live this position and we defend it,” said Rewe chief executive Lionel Souque. “FIFA’s scandalous attitude is absolutely unacceptable.

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