‘We stand for human rights’: Joachim Low backs Germany’s on-field protest

Germany’s gamers had made an vital assertion by displaying assist for migrant employees constructing 2022 World Cup stadiums in Qatar on Thursday and coach Joachim Loew stated the staff stands for human rights, “no matter the location”.
Germany lined up earlier than kickoff of their opening Group J qualifier in opposition to Iceland at Duisburg sporting shirts displaying the message “HUMAN RIGHTS”.
Norway staged an identical protest on Wednesday forward of their match in Gibraltar when their gamers wore T-shirts with the message: “Human rights, on and off the pitch”.
The initiatives come within the wake of a report by British newspaper The Guardian that stated its calculations confirmed not less than 6,500 migrant employees had died in Qatar for the reason that nation gained the suitable to stage the 2022 World Cup 10 years in the past.
Germany coach Loew stated he knew about his gamers’ plan to protest however that he was not the “driving force” behind it.
“The players have drawn everything on their shirts. It was supposed to be the first statement by us, by the team,” he stated.
“We stand for human rights, no matter the location. Those are our values. Therefore, it was a very good and important statement.”
On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Qatari World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), stated that they had “always been transparent about the health and safety of workers”.
“Since construction began in 2014, there have been three work-related fatalities and 35 non-work-related deaths,” the spokesperson added.
“The SC has investigated each case, learning lessons to avoid any repeat in the future. The SC has disclosed each incident through public statements and or Annual Workers’ Welfare Progress Reports.”
Football’s world governing physique FIFA stated after the Norway protest that no motion can be taken in opposition to the gamers.
“FIFA believes in the freedom of speech, and in the power of football as a force for good,” FIFA stated. “No disciplinary proceedings in relation to this matter will be opened by FIFA.”