Don't Go Chasing Rainbows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Germany’s opening game against Japan on November 23, their players dutifully lined up in the traditional formation and in a coordinated gesture, all eleven players covered their mouths, indicating that they had been silenced. It was a protest against FIFA following the governing body’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband. 

 

[Background info: The captains from Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Wales had planned on wearing the said armband – as a show of solidarity with the LGBTI+ community and to protest Qatar's laws against same-sex relationships. 

FIFA threatened to impose sanctions on any player wearing the armband. According to FIFA rules, team equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images, and during FIFA Final Competitions, the captain of each team "must wear the captain's armband provided by FIFA". 

 

And so, the respective football associations abandoned the idea]. 

 

Germany coach Hansi Flick asserted: “It was a sign from the team, from us, that FIFA (are) muzzling us”. Whatever lah! Anyway, Japan beat his team 2-1!

 

On Thursday, Germany bowed out of the World Cup on goal difference despite a chaotic 4-2 win against Costa Rica. The elimination came as Japan stunned Spain 2-1 in the other Group E match, a result that handed those two teams a spot in the Round of 16. 

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is teaching us that when teams chase rainbows instead of goals, they lose their games! LOL!