STARS PROTEST OVER FIFA GAG

GERMANY raised the stakes in the row over the OneLove armband with a staged protest ahead of their shock defeat by Japan.

Hansi Flick’s players wanted to highlight FIFA’s decision not to allow them to wear the anti-discrimination symbol, so put their hands over their mouths when the team photograph was taken before kick-off at the Khalifa Stadium, left.

Players also sported rainbow colours on their training tops and several wore rainbow laces. Head coach Flick said: “It was a sign. A message we wanted to send out. We wanted to convey the message that FIFA is silencing us.”

Germany’s interior minister Nancy Faeser, who was sitting close to FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the VIP box, wore a OneLove armband in support of the national team.

The FA have declined to comment on whether England will follow Germany’s lead and make the ‘covered mouth’ gesture before the match against the United States on Friday.