German Football Team Protests FIFA’s Armband Ban by Blocking Their Mouths During Team Photo at FIFA World Cup

• Germany have taken a stand against FIFA's ban on the OneLove armbands by protesting before their game
• German players covered their mouths during the team photo, as a symbol of them being silenced by FIFA
• Seven nations were threatened with sanctions from FIFA if they went ahead and wore the armbands

The German national team have taken a stand against FIFA.

Football’s governing body banned teams from using the OneLove armbands during the game, threatening them with sanctions if they did so.

Teams like Germany, England and Denmark were just some sides planning to wear the armbands during their team games.

While captains were told they would receive a yellow card for wearing the armbands, teams were threatened with further unspecified sanctions.

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The German national team found a way to protest the ban though, and did so during the team photo. Hansi Flick’s men were seen covering their mouths during the photo opportunity.

As reported by Bulinews, the German Football Association (DFB) defended its decision in a statement.

They explained that with the captain’s armband, they wanted to set an example with the values they share in the national team. They added it wasn’t a political message, but rather about standing up for human rights.

"Forbidding us the armband is like forbidding us to speak. Our stance stands," a statement from the DFB read.

Hansi Flick apologises

Prior to the game, German coach Hansi Flick explained that FIFA threatened them with sanctions if they went ahead with the armband plan. They received no indication on what those sanctions could be.

He added that there was no proper time to react, because they were only told of the sanctions shortly before England’s game.

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“I’m sorry we can’t be here and take a stand for human rights,” he said at the time.

Countries no longer wearing armband

England and 6 other nations have declared they would not be wearing the OneLove armband, just hours before the Three Lions' World Cup opener against Iran.

FIFA had threatened to book any captain wearing the controversial rainbow armband in World Cup matches, although England had been adamant about wearing it.

A statement released by the football associations of England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland confirmed they would no longer wear the armband at the global event.