Qatari TV hosts MOCK Germany’s World Cup human rights protest after exit from tournament

Guests on a Qatari television programme have appeared to mock Germany’s early World Cup exit and their human rights protests.

The German team covered their mouths while posing for their team photograph ahead of their opening group stage match against Japan on November 23.

The gesture came after FIFA announced the German team – along with England, Wales and other nations – would face sporting sanctions if they wore the OneLove captain’s armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar.

German players covered their mouths to indicate they’d been silenced in their protests in a country where same-sex relations are illegal.

After Germany were dumped out of the World Cup on Thursday night, their second consecutive group stage exit from the tournament, some Qataris were quick to poke fun.

A clip that went viral on social media showed the panel on one television show covering their mouths and mocking the Germans by waving goodbye.

See also  Fremantle Dockers AFL players join with climate crusaders in questioning Woodside Energy sponsorship

Guests on a Qatari television programme appeared to mock Germany’s early exit from the World Cup as they mimicked their human rights protest and waved goodbye 

In the clip, circulated widely on social media, the guests covered their mouths and waved in mockery of the German team’s human rights protest ahead of their first game with Japan

The German player performed the gesture ahead of their opening group game with Japan after being unable to wear the OneLove armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights

It came as the dejected German squad left their base in Qatar and flew home after Japan and Spain beat them to the two last-16 places from their group.

There was criticism all round at Germany’s early exit, with the country’s media labelling their performance in Qatar a ‘disgrace.’ 

Bild have laid into the team, insisting ‘it is a disgrace’ that they have failed to make it to the knockout rounds once again, while also describing their opening-game defeat to Japan, which went some way to sealing their fate, ’embarrassing’. 

There appeared to be plenty of mirth in Qatar at the Germans’ early World Cup elimination

Players and staff were left reeling after their group stage exit from the World Cup in Qatar

Fellow German outlet Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung weren’t in a forgiving mood either, as they wrote: ‘German football is at rock bottom again, four years after a historic first-round exit.’

Meanwhile, the Hamburg and Dresden Morning Posts both referenced Germany’s dismal showing in Qatar with the headline ‘Katarstrophe’.

Germany conceded five goals in their three matches, and national team legend Lothar Matthaus has hit out at the team’s defence for their displays in the tournament.

Germany were among several European nations who were planning to wear the OneLove armband before it became clear a yellow card would be issued for incorrect equipment 

Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 but were eliminated as Spain and Japan made it through

‘It was down to the defence, that was too easy for the opponent, against Japan, also against Costa Rica. Don’t be surprised if you make mistakes like this,’ he told Bild.

Creating chances was not an issue for the side, but they failed to make the most of their opportunities, and Matthaus was also critical of the attack for their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

‘It was also due to the conversion of chances, that was bad luck, but also inability. It would have been possible to score a lot more goals,’ he added.

German national team director Oliver Bierhoff agreed with Matthaus’ comments, admitting the four-time world champions must return to being clinical if they want to get back to the top of international football.

‘I’ve said that before. We lack the German efficiency that we always had,’ he conceded when speaking to Bild after Thursday’s match.