German players stage rebellion in armband row

Germany's players covered their mouths for the team photo before their World Cup opener against Japan on Wednesday in protest at FIFA's refusal to allow rainbow-themed armbands.

Captains of seven European teams had planned to wear the anti-discrimination armbands during the tournament in Qatar as part of a campaign for diversity. But they backed down over the threat of disciplinary action from FIFA, including yellow cards.

Germany's football federation tweeted in English moments after the photo protest: "It wasn't about making a political statement -- human rights are non-negotiable.

"Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position."

Security at the World Cup have ordered spectators to remove items of clothing featuring rainbow logos.

Underlining tensions over the issue, Belgium's Jan Vertonghen said on Tuesday that he was "afraid" to talk about human rights.

"I'm afraid if I say something about this I might not be able to play tomorrow," the defender said. "It's an experience I've never felt in football before. I feel controlled. I'm afraid to even say something about this.

"We're just saying normal things about racism and discrimination and if you can't even say things about it, that says it all. I want to appear on the pitch tomorrow, so I'll leave it at that."