Communications office and dissenting players. The German team was not as united as the picture suggested.
This is how the German team protested at the beginning of the World Cup. PDO
The German national football team made a spectacular gesture at the beginning of the World Cup, which was noticed around the world.
Before their opening game against Japan, Germany’s players posed for a team photo and covered their mouths with their hands. This was interpreted as a protest against Qatar and the International Football Association, Fifa.
The German players looked like a united bunch during the team photo, but it has now been revealed that the image may have been just a backdrop.
Citing the German channel ARD Bild– newspaper says that initially only two players would have been in favor of the players making a gesture before the match. The players are the goalkeeper, the captain Manuel Neuer36, and an outfielder Leon Goretzka27.
According to the German media, the other players would not have wanted to make any gesture.
Covering the mouth referred to human rights and freedom of speech. The background was Fifa’s decision to ban players from wearing rainbow bands on their arms.
At least according to Bild’s own information Joshua Kimmich joined the group of those willing, when the gesture was decided to cover the mouth with the hand.
However, information from the German media suggests that there is no way to talk about a united group.
According to Sport1, many players were surprised when captain Neuer announced that they must put their hand in front of their mouth during the team photo.
– It was peer pressure, Sport1– website’s source said.
In addition, according to Sport1, the team manager of the German national team Oliver Bierhoff would have asked for advice from the communication agency BrinkertLück Creatives before the Japan match.
The communications office suggested that the players make a heart sign with their hands, but the Germans weren’t keen on it.
The German tournament ended in a huge disappointment, as the team did not make it out of the first group.
In June 2021, Leon Goretzka made a heart with his hands. The German national team was also considering the same gesture before the Japan game. PDO