Fifa appears to question Chinese Football Association’s tattoo ban in cryptic Weibo post
Football’s world governing body posts picture collage of Messi, Ibrahimovic and Beckham’s body ink after report of Chinese players having to cover up tattoos
Fifa appears to have commented on the controversy surrounding Chinese footballers’ tattoos, after members of the national team were reportedly ordered to cover up their body art during matches.
On its official Weibo account, football’s world governing body posted a picture collage of some of world football’s most famous faces playing for their national teams, who all have prominent tattoos on their bodies, accompanied by a brief and cryptic comment.
“We met, because of your style and characters. We remember, because of your skills”, read the message, accompanied by emojis of a beating heart and a football.
The nine players – and their body ink – showcased are Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Philippe Coutinho of Brazil, Spanish trio Fernando Torres, Sergio Ramos and Vitolo, and Denmark’s Daniel Agger.
Fans and television viewers were left baffled by the sight of several Chinese players covering up their tattoos during last week’s 6-0 loss to Wales in the China Cup in Guangxi.
Titan Sports then reported that the Chinese Football Association had ordered the players to do so, or face missing out on selection for the game.