Germany players cover mouths in protest for World Cup photo

Germany's players covered their mouths during the team photo before their World Cup opener against Japan on Wednesday in an apparent protest over FIFA's refusal to allow rainbow-themed armbands.

It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position. pic.twitter.com/tiQKuE4XV7

Germany's team photo before their match vs. Japan ?? pic.twitter.com/scBY1enYKV

Captains of seven European teams had planned to wear the anti-discrimination armbands as part of a campaign for diversity during the tournament in Qatar but backed down over the threat of disciplinary action from world football's governing body.

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