Germany’s players had their mouths covered with their hands during a team photo before their match against Japan for their World Cup Group E on Wednesday.

The gesture was geared towards expressing their displeasure over FIFA’s threat of sanctions over the wearing of “OneLove” armband.

The world football body FIFA had threatened seven European teams with sanctions if they wore the armband symbolising diversity and tolerance.

However, Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, earlier criticized on their stance to sanction players who goes contrary to its order, adding that the threat of sanctions was a mistake and not acceptable behaviour.

“This is not alright, how federations are being put under pressure,” Faeser said during a visit to a German FA event in Doha before the game.

“In today’s times it is incomprehensible that FIFA does not want people to openly stand for tolerance and against discrimination. It does not fit in our times and it is not appropriate towards people.”

A statement from the German Football Association (DFB) said: “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.

“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.”

Qatar had remained adamant with it strict and conservative rules which are against Homosexuality.