World Cup 2022 armband row: 'Two parallel universes on human rights controversies'

There are two parallel universes when it comes to the controversy surrounding the World Cup.

For the advocates, the activists, the European teams and especially the seven captains who had intended to wear the One Love armband, this is an LGBT and Human Rights issue they want to remain vocal about.

This is about religion, culture, the norms of the region, and mostly about respect which they don't feel they're getting, for those who have come here or who are watching around the Arab world.

It's all playing out here on the world's biggest stages, and the tension seems to be the constant.

On Wednesday, Germany players covered their mouths during the team photo before their World Cup opener against Japan, with manager Hansi Flick saying it was to convey the message that Fifa is silenced.

The reaction to Germany's stance has been very negative.

There were many wrong reasons for the German team to use the # Germany-Japan. Many are calling their stance in support of LGBT rights "insulting" and "provocative".

"If you come to us, you respect our religion, our culture, our norms and our laws, otherwise you can put your hands wherever you want," said one of the messages.

You chose hunger, poverty, water shortages and many other global problems to be your cause, said another person.

If the German team are standing by the cause, be proud of your religion and stand by it as well.

The Germany gesture is the latest step in the row between football's governing body Fifa and several European teams who had planned for their captains to wear a One Love armband during matches to promote diversity and inclusion.

The move was described as extreme blackmail by the media director.

Germany said it was not about making a political statement and that human rights are not negotiable. Denying us the right to speak is the same as denying us the right to vote. We don't change our position.

On the eve of the World Cup, Infantino accused the Western world of hypocrisy and a "one-sided moral lesson" in its reporting about the promotion of same-sex relationships.

There is more to this than just a football tournament.

This hurts a lot of Arabs. There wasn't a similar uproar when Russia hosted the World Cup or when China hosted the Olympics, but many in the region are wondering why.

It was seen as an Arab victory when the tournament was hosted byQatar. One of the biggest sporting events in the world was coming to the area.

The opening ceremony was watched by a Qatari fan. All Arabs and Muslims are welcome.

When it comes to the World Cup, any criticism of the organizers is seen as a judgement on the whole region and its fitness as a legitimate host on the world stage.

It seems that the whole world has been invited to its own backyard by the level of scrutiny that has been placed on it by the international community.

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