CNN
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Football pundits mock it on Qatar’s Alkas Sports channel german football team After its World Cup exit – by copying the players’ protest over human rights.
A video on the channel’s Twitter page posted on Thursday shows former Kuwaiti footballer Jamal Mubarak covering his mouth with his left hand and waving goodbye with his right hand, then former Egyptian goalkeeper and fellow analyst Essam al-Haidery invites you to join him.
Soon after, El-Haydari and the other pundits covered their faces and said goodbye – apparently in celebration of Germany’s exit.
Gesture mimics German players did to protest against fifa decision to ban the “OneLove” armbands that several European captains were expected to wear in Qatar in support of LGBTQ rights.
Before Germany’s first match on 23 November, the team’s starting lineup raised their right hands in front of their mouths, a gesture of protest against what was seen as a curb on freedom of expression.
Germany lost that game to Japan in a shocking upset. A subsequent win against Costa Rica on Thursday was not enough for Germany to get out of the group stage and make it to the last 16.
Mubarak said on the Alkas Sports channel, “Thank God, today all Arab and Muslim nations are praying that Japan qualify with any team, but the most important thing is Germany to be out.”
The segment aired on the channel’s Al-Majlis show, hosted by Qatari presenter Khaled Jassem, and featured Arab football analysts including Mubarak, Al-Haideri and Iraqi former player Younus Mahmoud.
Following Germany’s 1:1 draw against Spain last Sunday, Jasem said in the Al-Majlis episode that he was “surprised” at Germany’s protest.
“You [Germany] The way we respect your customs, traditions and culture, similarly our customs, traditions, culture and religion should be respected. “When we go to Germany or other places, we respect the rules and regulations, and everything that is dear to the society there.”
In a series of tweets last week, the German Football Federation stood by the protest, saying, “It was not about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. It should be recognized, but it is still not the case.” That’s why this message is so important to us. Denying us armbands is denying us a voice.”
Prior to the tournament, the captains of England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark planned to wear armbands – all featuring a striped heart in different colors to represent heritage, background, gender and sexual identity. This happens – FIFA has previously warned that doing so can result in yellow cards for players.
In the build-up to the World Cup, host nation Qatar – where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison – has come under criticism for its stance on LGBTQ rights.
However, the country has insisted that “everyone is welcome” at the tournament, saying in a statement to CNN this month that “our track record has shown that we have warmly welcomed all people, regardless of background”. ”
FIFA’s decision to sanction players to wear “OneLove” armbands has nevertheless drawn anger, with the Football Supporters’ Association, the representative body of football supporters in England and Wales, saying it “feels betrayed.”
“Since 2010 we have been questioning Qatar’s suitability to host the World Cup,” the FSA said in a statement.