The Belgian Foreign Minister, Hadja Lahbib, wore the "One love" armband in the stands, which had been refused to Belgium and other European national teams, during the match won by the "Red Devils" against Canada at the World Cup in Qatar.
Hadja Lahbib was present on the grandstand of the Al-Rayyan stadium alongside, among others, the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino.
"He explained to me why he had chosen not to allow Belgium to wear the One love armband, according to the FIFA rules. These rules don't apply in the stands, I took off my jacket and presented the armband," he explained into the RTBF microphone. .
Under the threat of "sporting sanctions" by Fifa, Belgium and six other European nations present in Qatar - Germany, England, Denmark, Holland, Wales and Switzerland - have renounced making their respective captains wear the colored armband, symbol of inclusion and diversity.
"I think it was a symbolically strong gesture that Belgium wanted to convey", added the minister.
"I know that Eden Hazard (captain of the Belgians, ed) would have liked to wear it on the pitch", continued Hadja Lahbib, adding that she arrived in Qatar at the start of the tournament to have "candid talks" with the Qatari diplomacy in "defense of the human rights".
Another minister, the German Nancy Faeser, head of the Interior with responsibility for sport, appeared in the stands with this armband during Germany's match against Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
On the pitch, during the traditional pre-match team photo, the German players put their hands over their mouths to protest FIFA's decision to ban armbands.