Qataris hit back at Germany's mouth covering World Cup gesture with photos of Mesut Ozil
People in Qatar have hit back at Germany's covered-mouth gesture by bringing up pictures of Mesut Ozil during the country's clash with Spain in the World Cup. The former Arsenal star quit the national team in 2018, citing 'racism' and 'disrespect'.
Germany made headlines in their loss to Japan after covering their mouths during their team photo, suggesting they had been prevented from speaking about Qatar's rights record humans and LGBTQ+.
National skipper Manuel Neuer was due to join the captains of Denmark, Belgium, England, Wales and the Netherlands in wearing the 'OneLove' armband to protest against Qatar's LGBTQ+ laws, but backed down after FIFA threatened the Bayern Munich goalkeeper with sporting sanctions. including a yellow card and potential match suspensions.
However, the people of Qatar did not like the protest and retaliated by taking pictures of Ozil during the game. The creative midfielder earned 92 caps for the national team between 2009 and 2018 but stopped citing 'racism' and 'disrespect'.
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“It is with a heavy heart and after careful consideration that due to recent events, I will no longer be playing at international level while I have this feeling of racism and disrespect,” the player wrote. 34 years in a press release. at the time. "I used to wear the German shirt with so much pride and excitement, but now I don't. I feel unwanted and I think what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten."
His decision came after Germany's early exit from the World Cup in 2018, with Ozil feeling he had been unfairly blamed for what happened. The player, of Turkish descent, had been widely criticized before the tournament for having his photo taken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had been accused of human rights abuses and spoke negatively about the game. Germany in the past.
The people of Qatar sought to highlight what they saw as the protest's double standards by highlighting Ozil's comments about his treatment.
Germany will not be punished by FIFA for their protest and explained why they did so in a statement released at the time.
It read: 'This was not about making a political statement - human rights are non-negotiable. It should be taken for granted, but it still isn't. is why this message is so important to us.
"To deny us the armband is to deny us a vote. We maintain our position."
Germany salvaged a draw against Spain despite falling behind in the 62nd minute thanks to a strike from Alvaro Morata. Niclas Fullkrug leveled the score with his second international goal, meaning the country must be Costa Rica in the final group game to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
People in Qatar have hit back at Germany's covered-mouth gesture by bringing up pictures of Mesut Ozil during the country's clash with Spain in the World Cup. The former Arsenal star quit the national team in 2018, citing 'racism' and 'disrespect'.
Germany made headlines in their loss to Japan after covering their mouths during their team photo, suggesting they had been prevented from speaking about Qatar's rights record humans and LGBTQ+.
National skipper Manuel Neuer was due to join the captains of Denmark, Belgium, England, Wales and the Netherlands in wearing the 'OneLove' armband to protest against Qatar's LGBTQ+ laws, but backed down after FIFA threatened the Bayern Munich goalkeeper with sporting sanctions. including a yellow card and potential match suspensions.
However, the people of Qatar did not like the protest and retaliated by taking pictures of Ozil during the game. The creative midfielder earned 92 caps for the national team between 2009 and 2018 but stopped citing 'racism' and 'disrespect'.
READ MORE: Arsenal could block January exit despite desire to leave
“It is with a heavy heart and after careful consideration that due to recent events, I will no longer be playing at international level while I have this feeling of racism and disrespect,” the player wrote. 34 years in a press release. at the time. "I used to wear the German shirt with so much pride and excitement, but now I don't. I feel unwanted and I think what I have achieved since my international debut in 2009 has been forgotten."
His decision came after Germany's early exit from the World Cup in 2018, with Ozil feeling he had been unfairly blamed for what happened. The player, of Turkish descent, had been widely criticized before the tournament for having his photo taken with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had been accused of human rights abuses and spoke negatively about the game. Germany in the past.
The people of Qatar sought to highlight what they saw as the protest's double standards by highlighting Ozil's comments about his treatment.
Germany will not be punished by FIFA for their protest and explained why they did so in a statement released at the time.
It read: 'This was not about making a political statement - human rights are non-negotiable. It should be taken for granted, but it still isn't. is why this message is so important to us.
"To deny us the armband is to deny us a vote. We maintain our position."
Germany salvaged a draw against Spain despite falling behind in the 62nd minute thanks to a strike from Alvaro Morata. Niclas Fullkrug leveled the score with his second international goal, meaning the country must be Costa Rica in the final group game to have a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
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