NETHERLANDS DRAW LINE UNDER ARMBAND PROTESTS AT WC

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has confirmed his team will not mirror Germany’s mouth-covering protest before their second World Cup group game against Ecuador on Friday. Germany performed the gesture during their team photo prior to Wednesday’s shock 2-1 defeat against Japan. The German protest came after they were forced to abandon plans for skipper Manuel Neuer to wear a rainbow-themed “Onelove” armband following threats of on-field disciplinary action by FIFA. Captains of several European nations had initially hoped to wear the rainbow armbands, which had been viewed as a symbolic protest against laws in World Cup host nation Qatar.