Germany cover mouths and wear rainbows on kit in World Cup protest

It was a calculated act of defiance against Fifa, who has warned seven nations, including England and Wales, that they will face sporting sanctions if their captains wear OneLove armbands during matches.

Similar levels of opaqueness exist when it comes to whether rainbow-coloured flags and clothing is allowed, given the Qataris have taken such attire off some fans. The authorities are still yet to respond to a protest by the Football Association of Wales after fans had rainbow-colour bucket hats removed by security guards before the game against the USA.

The FA is deeply unhappy that their captain Harry Kane faced the prospect of an instant booking had he donned it against Iran. Fifa has not specified what sporting sanctions would have meant but the FA was under the firm impression that Kane would have been booked.

But while Fifa has so far remained silent over the Germany protest it did however, confirm that it had opened disciplinary proceedings against Ecuador over homophobic chanting by their fans in their World Cup opener against Qatar.