
<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> national soccer team made a protest towards FIFA and the Qatar World Cup during their prematch team photo. Players covered their mouths, alluding to the lack of voice for the players.</p>



<p>FIFA banned the use of OneLove captain armbands at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup</a> in Qatar and has asked teams to ‘<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/belgium-forced-to-remove-love-from-kits-during-world-cup-20221122-WST-409431.html">focus on football</a>‘ while at the tournament.</p>



<p>“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,” read a DFB statement on their official Twitter account. “Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.”</p>



<p>“It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable,” continued the statement. “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.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">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.<br><br>Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position. <a href="https://t.co/tiQKuE4XV7">pic.twitter.com/tiQKuE4XV7</a></p>— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/DFB_Team_EN/status/1595405792957562880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Germany, like <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/england-and-wales-to-defy-fifa-and-wear-onelove-armbands-20221119-WST-409028.html">six other teams</a> at the World Cup, did not wear the OneLove armband after FIFA warned of sanctions. Captain Manuel Neuer’s armband was inspected by a FIFA official prior to kickoff. However, along with the gesture during the pregame photo, Neuer played the match against Japan in rainbow-colored cleats. </p>



<h2>Germany first to protest at the World Cup</h2>



<p>The DFB is also reportedly checking the legality of FIFA’s ban on the OneLove armbands. “FIFA has forbidden us from using a symbol of diversity and human rights,” <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63729563" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> DFB media director Steffen Simon.</p>



<p>“They combined this with massive threats of sporting sanctions without specifying them. The DFB is checking whether this action by FIFA was legal.”</p>



<p>Simon previously claimed that the world’s governing body of the sport used ‘<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/germany-claims-extreme-blackmail-forced-armbands-change-20221122-WST-409423.html">extreme blackmail</a>‘ to block the OneLove armbands at the World Cup. The DFB has also contacted the Court of Arbitration for Sport on whether or not FIFA overstepped boundaries to ban the armband. Germany is hoping that Neuer can wear the OneLove armband for their second match of the tournament on Sunday.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Bildbyran</em></p>



<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
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Germany players covered their mouths in a protest against FIFA and the Qatar World Cup during their pregame photo on Wednesday.

Germany players cover their mouths in FIFA World Cup protest


<p>US Soccer Federation has come out in support of urging FIFA to compensate the families of migrant workers who have suffered in the building of the infrastructures for World Cup 2022 in Qatar. USSF added its name to a <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde22/6120/2022/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">joint statement issued by Amnesty International</a>.<br><br>FIFA has reportedly not officially executed compensation packages for migrant workers in Qatar. Instead, the governing body of the sport has sat on their hands. Previously, FIFA announced it is ‘open’ to the idea of compensating these workers or their families.</p>



<p>Earlier in the month, FIFA deputy secretary general Alasdair Bell <a href="https://apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-business-migration-middle-east-95537abed461b61018003d812156e09b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">made the claim</a>. </p>



<p>“It’s important to try to see that anyone who suffered injury as a consequence of working in the World Cup, that that is somehow redressed,” continued Bell.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, the wheels are apparently not yet in motion on the situation. The World Cup in Qatar begins in just one month.</p>



<p>Also, Amnesty International reports it previously reached out to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">all 32 soccer associations</a> set to compete at the upcoming tournament. So far, seven of these countries publicly joined the organization’s calls for migrant worker compensation. One of the seven is the United States Soccer Federation.</p>



<h2>US Soccer demands migrant workers get compensation</h2>



<p>Under Pressure from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch groups, U.S. Soccer supported compensation of the migrant workers last month. In a statement given to <a href="https://theathletic.com/3618370/2022/09/22/us-soccer-uefa-working-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a>, the organization publicly announced their intention to join support for the reimbursements.</p>



<p>“U.S. Soccer has had conversations with Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other organizations about this important topic,” read the statement. “We’ve also been in communication with UEFA about joining their support for financial compensation for workers. We have been working diligently behind the scenes to finalize our plans and will be ready to share those soon.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Working Conditions in Qatar Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2022" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kiMWl3wE9VI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>It is also not just soccer organizations that have joined in the fight for migrant worker compensation. Corporate sponsors have also voiced concerns over the issue. AB InBev (Budweiser), Adidas, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s have all <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/09/fifa-world-cup-all-sponsors-should-back-remedies-for-workers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">publicly</a> agreed in this compensation.</p>



<p>Human Rights Watch deputy director Middle East/North Africa Michael Page has lambasted FIFA’s failure to act on the issue. “It’s an embarrassment that despite prominent footballers, football associations and sponsors supporting the #PayUpFIFA campaign and widespread popular support, FIFA still failed to commit to calls for a remedy fund for many thousands of migrant workers who died, were injured, or had their wages stolen while making the World Cup possible,” Page <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde22/6120/2022/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a>.</p>



<p>We reached out to U.S. soccer for an additional comment but have yet to hear back.</p>


<div style="background:#f9e4ea;padding:10px;">
<h3>Guide to World Cup 2022</h3>
<div style="padding:10px;">
Here are some resources to help you get the most out of the biggest event in soccer!
</div>
<div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/"><strong>TV Schedule:</strong></a> All the info on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">where and when to watch</a> every game
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/"><strong>The Groups:</strong></a> We <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/04/analysis-of-world-cup-groups/">breakdown each group</a> and all the teams
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/"><strong>The Kits:</strong></a> Check out <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-jerseys-for-qatar-2022/">what every team will be wearing</a> on the field this fall
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/"><strong>Predictor:</strong></a> Play out every scenario with our <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/predictor/">World Cup Predictor</a>
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/"><strong>World Cup Bracket:</strong></a> Map out the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/05/world-cup-bracket-free-download/">entire tournament</a>, from the groups to the final
</div><div style="padding:10px;">
<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/"><strong>World Cup Hub:</strong></a> Your one stop for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">everything Qatar 2022</a>
</div>
</div>


<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Joerg Boethling</em></p>


Amnesty International reported that FIFA and Qatar are yet to pay compensation. US Soccer is among those calling for migrant workers aid.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Qatar human rights"

Germany

Germany players cover their mouths in FIFA World Cup protest

FIFA

US Soccer urges FIFA, Qatar to pay compensation to migrant workers