At least three groups of fans held up banners to protest the Qatar World Cup during Bundesliga fixtures on Saturday.
Sections of Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Hertha Berlin supporters all displayed their opposition to the upcoming tournament.
Fans Display Powerful Banner Protests
The match between Hertha and Bayern featured a giant banner reading ‘Boycott Qatar 2022.’ Clearly displayed along the front wall of fans in row one, television cameras easily spotted the sign. The game was played at Hertha’s Olympiastadion.
Bayern fans held a sign with a more damning message.
The banner in the away end read ‘15,000 dead for 5,760 minutes of football. Shame on you’ in German. Visiting Bayern went on to win the match 3-2 in a thrilling match. All five goals in the game were scored in the first half.
Dortmund fans fill stadium section with protest banners
Dortmund fans also displayed Qatar World Cup protest banners.
A large ‘Boycott Qatar 2022’ sign was prominent in front of the yellow wall. Another banner proclaimed ‘Qatar Abschalten!’ Which translates to ‘Qatar shut off!’ in English.
Banners inside the Signal Iduna Park filled parts of the stands. One section contained at least 15 total signs referencing the World Cup. A broadcast camera spanned the section throughout the match. One of the more notable signs proclaimed ‘more dead than game minutes.’
Dortmund collected all three points in the match against VFL Bochum with a 3-0 victory.
Youssoufa Moukoko netted a first-half brace, while United States men’s national team midfielder Giovanni Reyna also added a goal as well. Moukoko, 17, became the youngest Bundesliga player to reach 10 career league goals.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar begins in nearly two weeks.
The tournament has received practically constant backlash since the Middle Eastern country won the bid to host a few years ago.
Human rights issues, scheduling of the competition, and a migrant worker crisis are at the forefront of public concern.
Photo credit: IMAGO / Laci Perenyi
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