Australia stops short of FIFA boss support

Australia has stopped short of declaring unequivocal support for FIFA's embattled president as European nations dramatically escalated protests at the World Cup.

German players covered their mouths during a pre-game photograph on Wednesday in a blunt message to FIFA for silencing human rights debate at the cup in Qatar.

"It was a sign from the team, from us, that FIFA is muzzling us," Germany coach Hansi Flick told reporters.

Germany's interior minister Nancy Faeser, who is also responsible for sports, also wore a OneLove armband in the grandstand while sitting next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Fans have been banned from entering Doha stadiums while wearing rainbow colours signifying support for same-sex relations, which are illegal in Qatar.

But Faeser wore the armband under a pink blazer which she took off during the game.

Captains of seven European nations were threatened by FIFA with yellow cards if they carried through on pre-tournament plans to wear OneLove armbands at the cup.

The move infuriated the nations and human rights groups and followed Infantino labelling western nations as hypocrites for criticising Qatar.

Denmark on Wednesday vowed not to vote for Infantino when he stands for re-election as FIFA president next year.

But Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson baulked at a similar stance.

"We are not in a position right now to decide that, we don't have to," Johnson told reporters.

"At this stage I understand that it is only President Infantino that will run.
"He will be running unelected so I am not sure that there will be a decision to make.

"But in the event there was a contested election, we would ask the candidates what their vision is."

The Socceroos released a video message last month demanding Qatar decriminalise same-sex relations and also describing recent workplace reforms in the Middle Eastern nation as inconsistent.

Government of some nations have boycotted the cup but Australia's sports minister Anika Wells has held talks with the Qatari government since last Sunday.

"We believe in open dialogue and we believe that we need to show up to have it," Wells told reporters on Wednesday.

"So I showed up to take Australia's seat at the table again and to have that open dialogue.

"There was no need for me to make clear to the Qatari government the Socceroos' video, obviously that had been broadcast around the world."

Wells said Qatar's government wanted wider acknowledgement of recent reforms progress in the strict Islamic nation.

"On behalf of the Australian government I made clear ... we acknowledge the progress that has been made," she said.

"There is more to be done but I really feel like we had an constructive, frank discussion about that ... I was quite surprised by how humble, honest and constructive they were about it.

"I conveyed to them what has been made very clear to me in Australia, which is that Australians want to see more done.

" ... I put that in the broader context of that is the case for all of us, we could all do more to advance human rights.

"And that this global scrutiny will turn itself upon us in July next year (when) we host the Women's World Cup."

Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine, who featured in the Socceroos video, hoped hosting the Women's World Cup would prompt scrutiny on his nation's humans rights.

"People talk about the hypocrisy of these issues (in Qatar) but not talking about ones that happen at home," Irvine told reporters.

"I hope that's something we continue to explore in future as part of our growth as a team and as individuals. That is something to look at moving forward."