Eleven German players mimicking a gag against the ban on demonstrating in favor of diversity, this is one of the strong images of this start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the “Nationalmannschaft”, after this spectacular gesture, experienced a deep disillusionment with Japan, winner (2-1).
No bad surprise, however, for Spain, who walked against Costa Rica (7-0) and who will face Germany in a strong position on Sunday.
In the evening, Belgium had more difficulty against Canada (1-0), but also took the three points and found themselves alone at the top of their group.
After four days of competition, two subjects of conversation are essential in Doha: the unexpected results on the ground as well as, outside, the question of human rights, and in particular of the LGBTQ+ community, symbolized by the colors of the rainbow, in a country where the law penalizes homosexuality.
On Wednesday, German soccer responded to threats of sanctions brandished by FIFA to prevent the wearing of a colored armband celebrating diversity and inclusion, finally abandoned by the European selections which were at the origin of this initiative, called ” One Love “.
But at the Khalifa stadium, the German players chose to show their disapproval: under the eyes of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had called on everyone to “focus on football”, captain Manuel Neuer and his partners ostensibly put his hand to his mouth in the traditional team photo before kick-off.
“Human rights are not negotiable”
In the stands, the German Minister of the Interior, in charge of Sports, Nancy Faeser, donned the famous inclusive armband “One Love” which the organizers did not want, before posting the photo on social networks. She then put on a jacket.
And almost at the same time, the German federation sent a scathing press release on social networks: “This is not a political message: human rights are not negotiable. It should be obvious. Unfortunately, this is still not the case. This is why this message is so important to us. To forbid us to wear the blindfold is to forbid us to speak”, according to the text.
Since obtaining the organization of the tournament in 2010, Qatar has been the target of numerous criticisms in terms of human rights, in particular the rights of migrant workers, women or people from the LGBTQ+ community.
In this small conservative Muslim country, sexual relations outside marriage and homosexuality are subject to criminal prosecution. The Qatari authorities nevertheless affirmed that “everyone was welcome”.
Spain on display
In this maligned and atypical World Cup, scheduled for the first time at the end of the calendar year and thus interrupting the club championships in Europe, some of the favorites advance without certainty on the sporting level.
On Wednesday, Germany in turn suffered the law of a less rated team, Japan, like Lionel Messi’s Argentina the day before against Saudi Arabia (1-2).
Were the Germans distracted by their pre-match gesture? They quickly led thanks to a penalty shot converted by Ilkay Gündogan (33e), but fell in the second half against the vivacity of the Japanese attack, which overturned the score through Ritsu Doan (75e) then Takuma Asano (83).e).
The Nationalmannschaft has already gotten into great difficulty, in a complicated group where Spain, its next opponent, whom it will face on Sunday, wandered off in one of the shocks of this first round, against the Costa Rica (7-0).
« [Mercredi] evening, we will celebrate, we will go to dinner together, but tomorrow, we will start preparing for the match against Germany, ”said coach Luis Enrique.
With this great success, La Roja signs the biggest score since the start of the 22e World Cup.
Croatia, vice-world champion four years ago, did not find the opening and were held in check by a catchy Morocco (0-0).
The last match on the program, between Eden Hazard’s Belgium and Canada, also offered an apparently unbalanced clash between a European contender and a less rated aspirant. Sporting logic prevailed, even if the Red Devils, winners 1-0, owe part of their success to the performance of their impeccable goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois.
Present in the gallery alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, like her German colleague, wore the one-armed “One Love” armband. “I know Eden Hazard would have liked to wear it on the pitch,” she told RTBF.
