The latest news from the opening match of the World Cup…
FIFA has banned England and Harry Kane from wearing the ‘OneLove’ shirt at the World Cup
The FA is extremely disappointed with world soccer’s governing body ahead of England’s first game against Iran
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FIFA told the Football Association its rules would not allow Harry Kane to wear the “OneLove” armband at the World Cup in Qatar, which was designed to show his solidarity with marginalized people, including the criminalized gay community.
The latest talks, which were part of a standard meeting between team officials and FIFA’s match commissioners on Sunday, left the FA deeply upset with FIFA ahead of the first leg against Iran.
European countries
Several European countries, which have agreed to wear the captain’s armband in Qatar, fear the team’s captain could be shown a yellow card right at the start of the game, even though the players have not been informed.
FIFA has privately said it will have to approve any changes to the kit worn by players on the pitch. The governing body has so far failed to respond to the FA’s request for approval for the “OneLove” strip, which Kane wore in the last two Nations League games in September. FIFA also has not provided clarity about this to the media.
On Saturday, FIFA released an alternative strip with what it described as a message of solidarity. The FIFA Ribbon has a different slogan for each round, mostly meaningless. FIFA’s bracelet design aims to show the heart of the “OneLove” bracelet favored by European countries but not the rainbow version of “OneLove” which represents the LGBT community.
Earlier in the day, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, whose team face Senegal on Monday, hinted at the risk of a warning from wearing the captain’s armband.
Van Dyk
Van Dyk said: “I will wear the one love armband tomorrow. From our point of view nothing has changed. If I get a yellow card for wearing it, we have to talk about it because I don’t like to play when I have a yellow card.
Behind the scenes
Teams from England and Wales met with FIFA officials ahead of the opening game in Qatar. This is a standard meeting held before every game with officials from both sides. FIFA declined to comment.
