It is important to mention that Europe, more precisely European football culture and Germany in particular, played a key role in the development and the successes of both the Japanese and the Korean team.

Schiffer also stressed that FIFA—and rightly so—takes action against homophobic slurs and acts, just as it does not allow players to be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. ‘Considering that, why on earth demonstrate?

The violent persecution of minorities and various disenfranchised groups should be challenged at international fora and on the level of public diplomacy, and not in the football field with embarrassing stunts.