Arsene Wenger suggests teams that focused on political statements performed worst at World Cup amid Germany’s group stage exit

Arsène Wenger has suggested that teams that made political statements at the start of the tournament suffered poor performances on the pitch as a result.

Germany were the biggest casualties of the group stage as they exited the World Cup with just one victory in their group matches against Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.

The 2014 winners covered their mouths in a team photo before their opening match against Japan, in protest at FIFA’s ban on OneLove armbands.

It came after the German Football Association asked captain Manuel Neuer not to wear the rainbow armband for the match after FIFA threatened sporting sanctions on any captain choosing to wear it.

England’s Harry Kane and Wales’ Gareth Bale and Dutch skipper Virgil van Dijk have also backed away from plans to carry the group – which promotes diversity and inclusion – after learning of the firm stance of FIFA.

While Neuer and co didn’t face any disciplinary action for their gesture, Wenger is of the opinion that Germany lost focus in their group games due to their stance on off-pitch matters.

“You know, when you go to a World Cup, you know you can’t lose the first game. The teams that have the experience of playing in tournaments like France, England and Brazil have played well in the first game,” Wenger said during the World Cup technical study group briefing.

“Teams that were mentally ready, with a mindset to focus on competition, not political protests.”

Although an exciting tournament on the pitch, the World Cup has been shrouded in political pronouncements regarding FIFA’s choice to award hosting rights to Qatar.

Concerns have also been raised over Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, alluding in particular to workers who are believed to have died on tournament-related projects.

The host country’s approach to LGBTQ+ rights has also been called into question, with homosexuality deemed illegal and punishable by imprisonment.