Photos that were shared on Twitter appear to show Qataris wearing armbands with a pro-Palestinian graphic while watching Wednesday’s game between Japan and Germany. This adds fuel to the fire of the ongoing debate regarding the appropriateness of political emblems at the most prestigious tournament in soccer.
Apparently, as a response to players and officials opposing FIFA’s decision to punish players who wear the “OneLove” armband on the pitch, the clubs issued black and white armbands with the design of the keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of the Palestinian cause.
The photographs on Twitter were validated by Reuters’ use of stadium witnesses.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was also there and was seen wearing a OneLove armband with a multicolored striped heart to show her support for diversity and resistance to racism.
The intentions of seven European teams to take turns wearing the armband on the field were scrapped last week after FIFA threatened disciplinary action against them.
Nancy Faeser, the German Minister for the Interior, was photographed wearing a OneLove armband on November 23, 2022, in the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. (picture taken by Kai PFAFFENBACH and published by REUTERS)
Israel’s relationship with Qatar is being put to the test at the moment.
As a result of the decision made by the government of Qatar to allow direct flights from Tel Aviv to Doha for the World Cup and to deploy a group of Israeli diplomats to monitor logistics, the event has also boosted pro-Palestinian feelings among several the local inhabitants.
On November 23, 2022, the German Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, was photographed wearing a OneLove armband while attending an event at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. (Photography courtesy of REUTERS/KAI PFAFFENBACH)
The event has also bolstered pro-Palestinian sentiments among certain residents. This is notably the case in response to the decision made by the government of Qatar to allow direct flights from Tel Aviv for the World Cup as well as a group of Israeli diplomats to oversee logistics.
by newslines365.com
