During the Germany vs Spain match, many spectators carried pictures of Mesut Ozil.
According to Bild, it may be part of a protest as the German national team is accused of hypocrisy.
Germany was one of seven national teams not allowed to wear the rainbow colored “One Love” armband during the World Cup by FIFA.
In Qatar, homosexuality is prohibited and the link symbolizes support for LGBT rights.
In protest of the decision, the German national team chose to raise their hand over their mouth in a team photo prior to the opening match against Japan.
Theory: Calling Germans hypocrites
Before the second match of the Germans at the World Cup against Spain (which ended 1-1), there was no new outcry on the field.
But in the stands there were five more people. Many of the attendees carried pictures of former German national team midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Several of those caught in the photo have their hands over their mouths.
According to Bild, it is not clear what the measure is about, but the paper writes that it could be interpreted as favorable to the German FA and its treatment of Ozil.
The former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder received a lot of criticism when he was photographed before the 2018 World Cup with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and given a T-shirt with the signature “To my boss” on it.
Germany was already knocked out in the group stage and after it was seen in the media, Ozil chose to leave the national team.
– I am German when I win and an immigrant when I lose, Ozil said, among other things, accusing the association of racism.
“Are they accusing us of double standards for protesting against FIFA?” asks the German newspaper.