Roy Keane has told Germany ‘they can do more’ in an impassioned rant after their World Cup protest in Qatar.
All 11 of Germany’s starting line-up against Japan protested by covering their mouths as they posed for their pre-match team photo on Wednesday. The poignant gesture was a reference to FIFA’s refusal to allow Die Mannschaft captain Manuel Neuer to wear a rainbow coloured ‘One Love’ armband in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
The German football association explained it as a protest against FIFA ‘denying them their voice’.
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But ITV pundit Keane was convinced the German players could have done a whole lot more to show their anger towards FIFA. “It’s a start, a gesture but I still think they should do more. Silenced by who? By who?” the Irishman said.
“The most important people in football are supporters and the players. Use their voice, wear the armband, stand up, leadership is about action, do it, this is going to drag on, do it. This is a gesture and it’s the start but they can do more.”
Do you think Germany and other nations should do more to protest against FIFA? Let us know in the comments section.
(Image: ITV)
The DFB had been warned by FIFA not to allow Neuer to wear the rainbow armband prior to the game. FIFA allegedly threatened “massive sporting sanctions” if Germany broke tournament rules in Qatar, which is known for its intolerance towards LGBTQ+ people.
Their statement 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.
(Image: Getty Images)
“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.”
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