(ANSA-AFP) - BERLIN, NOV 23 - FIFA's decision to bar players
from wearing the "OneLove" armband was "very unfortunate", the
German government spokesman said on Wednesday, ahead of the
national team's opening World Cup fixture versus Japan. "The
rights of LGBTQ people are non-negotiable," Steffen Hebestreit
said at a regular press conference. It was regrettable that "it
is clearly not possible at the FIFA World Cup to take a position
or to show a sign of solidarity", he said. Hebestreit added he
hoped the debate around the armband would "positively change"
the attitude of football associations and the organisers of
major sporting events. The rainbow armbands had been viewed as a
symbolic protest against laws in World Cup host Qatar, where
homosexuality is illegal. Captains of several European teams had
planned to wear the symbol as part of a campaign for diversity
during the tournament hosted by Qatar, but they backed down over
the threat of disciplinary action from FIFA, world football's
governing body. The teams have since come under fire at home for
failing to take a stronger stand against FIFA's stance on the
armbands. "I suppose you have to wear the armband now. I would
maybe take my chances," Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck told
German public broadcaster ZDF on Tuesday evening. (ANSA-AFP).
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