World Cup 2022: Fifa's Arsene Wenger criticises performance of protesting nations

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Arsene Wenger has suggested countries that protested astatine the World Cup saw their on-field performances suffer.

Germany players covered their mouths earlier their opening decision against Japan aft Fifa threatened "unlimited" sanctions against players who wore the anti-discrimination OneLove armband.

"The teams [who performed well] were mentally ready," Wenger said.

"They had the mindset to absorption connected the contention and not connected governmental demonstrations."

Former Arsenal manager Wenger, who is Fifa's caput of planetary shot development, was speaking astatine a media briefing connected Sunday.

Germany's shot federation was the astir vocal successful pressing for the OneLove armbands to beryllium worn by players and said "extreme blackmail" led to Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Wales, England and Switzerland abandoning plans to deterioration them.

Protests person taken spot against big Qatar's quality rights grounds and its attraction of migrant workers arsenic good arsenic against Qatar's strict anti-LGBT laws.

Four times winners Germany were knocked retired of the tourney successful the radical signifier for the 2nd successive World Cup.

Denmark, who finished bottommost of Group D, were stopped by Fifa from utilizing grooming kit with slogans successful enactment for quality rights and their kits featured toned down logos.

British sports curate Stuart Andrew wore the OneLove armband during England's World Cup crippled with Wales.

That came aft Qatar World Cup main Hassan Al-Thawadi said the armbands were sending retired a "divisive message".

Football Association main enforcement Mark Bullingham said Fifa threatened "unlimited" sanctions against players who wore the armband during matches.

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