Forward of their sport in opposition to Japan on the World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, gamers from Staff Germany assembled on the pitch and lined their mouths in an act of protest.

The gamers have been upset that soccer governing physique FIFA had earlier stopped captains from a number of European groups from carrying armbands in help of the LGBTQ group.

“We wished to make use of our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we maintain within the Germany nationwide workforce: variety and mutual respect. Along with different nations, we wished our voice to be heard,” the workforce stated in a press release posted to their official Twitter account.

“It wasn’t about making a political assertion – human rights are non-negotiable. That needs to be taken without any consideration, but it surely nonetheless isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so necessary to us,” the workforce stated. “Denying us the armband is identical as denying us a voice. We stand by our place.”