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ZDF sports reporter Claudia Neumann
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ZDF
ZDF commentator Claudia Neumann sent a clear signal in the debate about the banned "One Love" armband at the World Cup in Qatar.
The 58-year-old sat in the press box for Monday night's match between USA and Wales at Rajjan's Ahmad bin Ali Stadium - wearing a black T-shirt with a rainbow heart printed on it.
She also wore a colorful bandage in the same colors on her arm.
They stand for diversity and tolerance.
At the microphone, Neumann said: »Welcome to the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium for game three on tournament day two.
It could have been a legendary, proud World Cup day.
But as it is, we all spend it with the discussions about the expressions of solidarity that we saw in one place: namely the Iran team.«
The Iranian game against England had previously started with a political signal: the Iranian players were silent during the national anthem.
Iranian activists see it as a gesture of support for the nationwide protests in the country.
The Iranian state broadcaster interrupted the live broadcast at the anthem.
The players could now face consequences.
Fifa had banned the "One Love" armband with reference to World Cup regulations and threatened sporting sanctions for violations - the European associations around the German Football Association (DFB) caved in and announced that they would no longer wear it .
"From my point of view, it is a demonstration of power by Fifa," said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf on Monday at the German national team's headquarters in northern Qatar.
"From our point of view, this is more than frustrating and also an unprecedented event in World Cup history." DFB Managing Director Oliver Bierhoff said it felt "strongly like censorship".
Not only ZDF commentator Neumann reacted to the ban with a sign.
US journalist Grant Wahl reported on Twitter that he was initially denied entry because he was wearing a rainbow shirt.
After 25 minutes of waiting, he was allowed to enter the arena with an apology.
BBC pundit Alex Scott had worn the "One Love" captain's armband on the sidelines of the group game between England and Iran.
Editor's note: In an earlier version, the line said that the ZDF commentator had shown up with a "One Love" bandage. In fact, it was a rainbow-colored armband. We have adjusted the position.
aar/dpa/sid
