Fifa criticised for letting Qatar ‘run the show’ over LGBTQ+ protest threats

Rainbow corner flags (Barrington Coombs/PA)

Fifa has faced fresh criticism for its handling of World Cup teams showing support for the LGBTQ+ community, amid claims the Qatari hosts are “running the show”.

Germany’s players covered their mouths during a team photo ahead of their 2-1 defeat against Japan to show “Fifa is silencing us” by shutting down attempts to wear rainbow-coloured armbands.