Mouth-to-mouth gesture before Japan embarrassment: Only two players were probably in favor of it

Created: 04/12/2022 13:28

By: Corbinian Kothny

Germany was eliminated from a World Cup again after the group stage.

In addition to the sporting embarrassment, the "One Love" theme remains in the head.

Munich

– Holidays instead of the knockout phase at the 2022 World Cup has been the motto for the players of the German national team since Thursday.

Despite the 4-2 win against Costa Rica in the final group game, the DFB team had to return home.

In addition to the sporting embarrassment, the national players in Qatar were also concerned with the "One Love" theme.

World Cup in Qatar: FIFA bans "One Love" captain's armband

As a reminder: In the run-up to the World Cup, the DFB had agreed with six other European associations to wear the "One Love" captain's armband at the tournament.

Shortly before the first English group game, however, FIFA threatened sanctions if the captains wore the controversial armband.

Ultimately, the European federations caved in and obeyed the world federation.

The topic made waves in Germany, and the DFB was also massively criticized by the German media landscape for backing down.

Leon Goretzka and Manuel Neuer spoke out in favor of the "mouth-to-gesture".

© IMAGO/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON

World Cup in Qatar: Germany with a "mouth-to-gesture" against Japan

The topic was obviously a big topic in the team as well.

After the "One Love" armband was banned, the team agreed to a silent protest.

In the 2-1 defeat against Japan, the DFB team covered their mouths for the team photo.

The gesture was discussed controversially in both international and German media.

As the ARD now reports, the gesture was controversial even in the team.

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DFB: Neuer and Goretzka drive protest

According to the broadcaster, only two DFB stars were behind the "mouth-to-gesture".

According to the report, captain Manuel Neuer and Leon Goretzka were in favor of the action, the other players, like the other nations, would have preferred not to do anything.

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At the urging of the two DFB players, the protest was finally decided as the lowest common denominator.

The extent to which the political debate ultimately influenced the national team in sport remains speculative.

World Cup in Qatar: DFB-Elf can not concentrate on sports

For ARD expert Thomas Hitzlsperger, the "One Love" topic is also a reason for the early departure again.

"I think the players ended up having to deal with it too much and it wasn't beneficial.

But you also have to say that no player has ever used it as an alibi and I thought that was very, very good,” said the 40-year-old.

In fact, the national team had taken a political action in Germany, even though the players had absolutely nothing to do with the World Cup being awarded to Qatar.

Hitzlsperger also had a clear opinion on this: "We - and of course I'm including myself - or the association can't ask the team to do it now, of course.

It won't work anymore.

We really got kicked in the face for it.” (kk)