Footballers Who Stood Up for Change | FourFourTwo
Football has long served as a platform for protest, both individually and collectively.
From displaying messages on jerseys to refusing food, these acts of dissent have manifested in various ways.
In this article, we explore some players and teams who have made significant stands for their beliefs.
Amir Nasr-Azadani
A defender who played for Iranian clubs Rah Ahan and Tractor, Amir Nasr-Azadani faced a 26-year prison sentence in 2023.
His incarceration, which ignited outrage within the football community, followed his involvement in widespread protests over the death of Mahsa Amini—a woman who died while in the custody of Iran’s religious authorities.
Paul Breitner
Regarded as one of the best players in the 1970s, Paul Breitner scored during the final as West Germany claimed victory over the Netherlands in the 1974 World Cup. However, he decided to boycott the country’s defense of that title four years later in Argentina.
In protest against the military dictatorship in Argentina, Breitner chose not to participate in the 1978 tournament, making him the only player to withdraw for that specific reason.
Dick, Kerr Ladies
Established in Lancashire in 1917 by employees of the Dick, Kerr & Co. train and tram manufacturing firm, Dick, Kerr Ladies became a pioneering women’s football team.
Despite being banned for 50 years from competing at FA-affiliated grounds, Dick, Kerr Ladies continued to play at alternative venues, significantly enhancing the visibility of women’s football.
Mario Ferri
Mario Ferri, a human rights advocate, has staged multiple pitch invasions throughout his career, including one at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
During a group match between Portugal and Uruguay, he disrupted play while wearing a shirt that read, “Respect Iranian women” and “Save Ukraine” (in reference to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), while waving a rainbow flag.
Ferri has also displayed his activism on the pitch with permission, as he continues to play in the amateur leagues in Italy and beyond.
Robbie Fowler
The Liverpool dockers’ dispute saw the sacking of dock workers for refusing to cross a picket line, a conflict that persisted for over two years.
During a 1997 Cup Winners’ Cup match against Norwegian team Brann, Robbie Fowler celebrated a goal by revealing a vest that supported the 500 sacked dock workers, incurring a fine from UEFA as a consequence.
Georgia
In the spring of 2024, citizens of Georgia demonstrated against proposed ‘foreign influence law’ by their government.
Some of the nation’s leading footballers took part in this movement, with prominent players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giorgi Mamardashvili sharing synchronized messages of protest on social media.
Germany
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was surrounded by controversy, with issues including the deaths of migrant workers involved in stadium construction and the Gulf state’s oppressive policies towards the LGBTQ+ community.
In response to FIFA’s threats against players who wore armbands that criticized Qatar’s human rights situation, the entire starting eleven of Germany covered their mouths while posing for the team photo before their opening match against Japan.
Iran
Iran’s protest at the 2022 World Cup stemmed from the government’s violent repression of women’s rights demonstrations back home.
None of the Iranian players sang the national anthem prior to the opening match against England, and many fans expressed their dissent by booing.
Liverpool
Before a home Premier League match against West Ham in 2008, Liverpool players and supporters expressed their solidarity with Michael Shields, a fan who was controversially imprisoned for attempted murder regarding an incident involving a Bulgarian waiter.
At that time, Shields’ case was undergoing review, and he was eventually released after receiving a pardon from UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw.
James McClean
James McClean’s refusal to wear a poppy during the Remembrance period has resulted in him facing boos and even death threats.
The former Republic of Ireland winger’s choice is rooted in his upbringing in Derry, the site of the infamous Bloody Sunday in 1972, when British soldiers fired upon unarmed civilians, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals.
Myanmar
In 2021, several players abstained from representing the Myanmar national team in protest against a military coup in their country.
As goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Htet stated, “We will only play football on the street until we get democracy. We won’t play for the national team under the military dictatorship and we are protesting to send that message.”
Norway
Although Norway didn’t qualify for the 2022 World Cup, they expressed their views against the tournament’s hosting in Qatar during the qualifiers.
Before a qualifier against Gibraltar, players including Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland wore shirts that read: “Human rights on and off the pitch.”
Emanuele Pesoli
Emanuele Pesoli, a defender known for his time with Venezia and Pescara, received a three-year ban from football due to his involvement in the 2011 Italian match-fixing scandal.
In protest, he chained himself to the gates of the Italian football federation headquarters and began a four-day hunger strike, leading to a reduction of his suspension to 10 months.
Megan Rapinoe
The widely recognized gesture of taking the knee in protest against racism originated with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and Megan Rapinoe became the first white American athlete to participate.
Legendary World Cup-winning player Rapinoe knelt during the national anthem before a match against Thailand in 2016, stating, “I’m proud of speaking my mind and doing the right thing.”
Matthias Sindelar
Matthias Sindelar, the superstar captain of Austria’s legendary Wunderteam, made his most notable protest in Vienna in 1938.
After scoring in what would be Austria’s last match until after World War II—following Austria’s annexation by Germany—Sindelar celebrated the 2-0 win by dancing in front of the officials’ box occupied by various Nazi officials.
Spain
Spain’s victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup should have been a moment of pure celebration, yet it was soon overshadowed by controversy.
First, Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales drew outrage by grabbing and kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the trophy presentation.
Following his resignation, Spanish players called for further reforms in the system, with many deciding to boycott the national team.
