PARIS (AP) — France's sports minister has encouraged her country's World Cup team to make a symbolic gesture in support of human rights, after FIFA's clampdown on the “One Love†armband.
“Is there still a way our French team can continue to express its commitment to human rights? The answer is yes,†Amélie Oudéa-Castéra told French television channel Public Sénat. “The Germans showed it.â€
Germany’s players before their opening World Cup match on Wednesday. The gesture was a response to FIFA’s that were seen as a rebuke to host nation Qatar and its human rights record.
French players will be “free to express themselves," in the coming weeks, Oudéa-Castéra said. “They share these values too ... and it's important that they represent them.â€
The French team before flying to Qatar, saying the players supported NGO's working to protect human rights and that all the players and staff members had made a collective donation toward them.
“The players have already made a statement saying how we feel,†France midfielder Matteo Guendouzi said Thursday in Qatar. “We’re not indifferent about this situation. But we’re here to play football and enjoy ourselves on the field.â€
Forward Marcus Thuram said he respected what the Germans did.
“As Matteo said we have done something (with a donation)," Thuram said. “If they think they defended a good cause then that’s a good thing.â€
Defending champion France beat Australia 4-1 in its first World Cup match on Tuesday. The team plays its next Group D match Saturday against Denmark.
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