Football fans in the ongoing World Cup in Qatar have hit back at the Germany team for the gesture they displayed in protest over the ban of the “one Love” armbands.

Holding the photos of Mesut Ozil during the Germany vs Spain encounter was an attempt to remind the world of Germany’s racism towards the Muslim German player.

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The group of fans at Sunday’s match covered their mouths while holding copies of hand-drawn sketches of Ozil and pictures of him in action for Germany, Aljazeera reported.

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The coordinated display was apparently in response to the German team players’ protest gesture last week when they covered their mouths ahead of a 2-1 loss to Japan in protest at being “silenced”.

Ozil, a German-born descendant of Turkish immigrants, accused Germany’s football federation, fans, and media of racism in their treatment of immigrants.

“I am German when we win, but I am an immigrant when we lose,” Ozil said at the time of his departure from the German national team.

As one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, Ozil resigned from the German team in 2018, causing shockwaves across the world.

“It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events, I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect,” he wrote on Twitter at the time.

“I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t … Racism should never, ever be accepted.”

Politics Are Over

On the other hand, Germany Muslim midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said “the politics are finished” after his side did not repeat their protest against FIFA during their game vs Spain.

“Honestly, my point of view is now the politics are finished,” Gundogan told The Athletic.

“We are here now and I think Qatar is very proud. The country of Qatar is very proud to host the World Cup — also as the first Muslim country. I come from a Muslim family, so the Muslim community is proud.

“Now it’s just about football — enjoying and celebrating — so that’s the most important thing.”