Federation Internationale de Football Association has ruled out team captains wearing FIFA’s ‘OneLove’ armband for religious reasons in FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 in Qatar.
There has been a change in the position of nations wearing the OneLove armband. Although, they had a different view, England, Wales, the Netherlands, and other European countries will not wear the arm band.
The decision to wear the distinctive OneLove armbands during games in support of diversity and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar, as it forbids same-sex marriage. Moreover, it was made by nine teams, including the England team. However, The FA and FIFA got into a fight over threats that players wearing the armband may be immediately booked. And it happened just hours before the England-Iran encounter.
Joint Statement against FIFA’s stand on OneLove Armband
The football associations of England, Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands announced in a joint statement:
“Fifa has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play. As national federations, we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions including bookings. So, we have asked the captains not to attempt to wear the armbands in Fifa World Cup games.
We were prepared to pay fines that would normally apply to breaches of kit regulations. And had a strong commitment to wearing the armband. However, we cannot put our players in the situation where they might be booked or even forced to leave the field of play.
We are very frustrated by the Fifa decision which we believe is unprecedented. We wrote to Fifa in September informing them of our wish to wear the One Love armband to actively support inclusion in football, and had no response. Moreover, our players and coaches are disappointed. They are strong supporters of inclusion and will show support in other ways.
Fifa has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play. Moreover, as national federations, we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions including bookings. So, we have asked the captains not to attempt to wear the armbands in Fifa World Cup games.”
