Wales boss picks wrong side

BEFORE their opening World Cup match, against Japan, the Germany players posed for a team picture on the pitch at the Khalifa International Stadium. They cupped their hands over their mouths to protest about the way FIFA were attempting to prevent them, and others, speaking out about human rights issues.

A couple of hours later, they lost against Japan. It is obvious to sane minds that there was no connection between the protest and the defeat. But some are so scared of disobedience and so unaccustomed to making any sort of stand about anything that they sought to make that connection, anyway.

Eden Hazard, the Belgium player, was one. Rob Page, the Wales manager, was another. Both let themselves down. There was zero connection between the two events but even if there was, the gesture that Germany’s players made carries more weight and more importance, and more courage, than a win or a defeat in an opening game ever could.