DOHA (VG) Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib watched Belgium’s opening match in the World Cup with FIFA President Gianni Infantino – with the controversial ‘OneLove’ bandage taped to his left arm.

As Belgium opened Football World Cup with a 1-0 win against CanadaBelgian Foreign Minister Hajda Lahbib used something that Belgian captain Eden Hazard is not allowed to wear by FIFA: the captain’s armband in the colors of the rainbow.

– I want to travel with a clear and distinct message about working conditions and human rights, especially the rights of women and LGBT+ people, Lahbib told Belgian media, according to NTB, before the settlement.

Roberto Martinez said the following to VG during the post-match press conference.

– We spent two years being proactive and active. We have created a platform in Belgium. But I’ve said it before: I’m not an expert, not someone who should have a voice, says Martinez.

Asked by VG about the political marks, Martinez suggested that others now have to fight against Qatar and FIFA in the future.

– Our message was clear and unambiguous – from the association and the players. Everyone explained the situation but now all we can do is let the football do the talking. All major institutions, major voices like Amnesty International, must continue to deliver clear messages.

– We are football experts consulted by institutions that help us create a platform. We have done many activities and now we have to do what we know how to do best, which is to play football, he continued.

Eden Hazard spoke to TV 2 about the OneLove volume:

– I didn’t want to start the game with a yellow card. This would have been problematic for the rest of the tournament, adds Hazard Television 2.

– That’s why I chose not to go, but if I could choose again, I probably would have worn it anyway, said the Belgian.

One of the most talked about topics at the World Cup is that FIFA has threatened sanctions if the captains of nations wear the rainbow colored armband in support of the LGBT+ community.

Belgium, along with six other nations, originally planned to wear rainbow-colored captain’s armbands at the World Cup in Qatar. The nations dropped this as FIFA said they would punish such marking with a yellow card.

Earlier on Wednesday, Germany played their opening match of the World Cup, which ended in a surprising 1-2 defeat against Japan. Germany was also one of the nations that intended to use the “OneLove” bandage during the World Cup. Before the match started, the Germans scored by covering their mouths as they took a team photo.

– It was a message from the team, from all of us, that Fifa give us a muzzle, German national team manager Hansi Flick said afterwards the surprising 1-2 defeat against Japan.

– We won’t let them ban our statements. When we have something to say, we will say it anyway, said Joshua Kimmich according to the Bild newspaper.

Germany said earlier this week that it wanted to take FIFA in court following the football association’s rainbow refusal.