England’s football captain Harry Kane may get a World Cup ban by Fifa if he sticks to his word and wears a ‘One Love’ armband.
Fifa told the Football Association (FA) on Sunday that the armband – worn in of solidarity of gay and marginalised people and to highlight discrimination against them– does not comply with its regulations, the Telegraph reports.
Team captains from several countries have pledged to wear the One Love armband but they could receive a booking at the start of the match for doing so.
“We respect Fifa’s request but we are committed to wearing our OneLove armbands in this World Cup,” said an FA source, quoted by the Independent.
Fifa has so far failed to clarify the situation for countries and the media and on Saturday told captains to wear FIFA armbands for the tournament. These have different slogans for each round of the competition, including #FootballUnitesTheWorld, #SaveThePlanet #ProtectChildren and #ShareTheMeal.
England has insisted their captain Kane will wear the One Love armband during the World Cup. Wales captain Gareth Bale and the Netherland’s Virgil van Dyke have also expressed their intention to do so in order to highlight the issues surrounding the World Cup being hosted by Qatar. As too, the captains of Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland.
Ahead of their first World Cup group game against Iran on Monday (Nov 20, 1pm) England coach Gareth Southgate told the media on Sunday that his players will “take the knee”.
“It is what we stand for as a team, and we have done [it] for a long period of time. We believe it is a strong statement that will go around the world, for young people in particular to see inclusivity is very important.”
BBC ignore World Cup opening ceremony to focus on human rights
The Guardian reports on the BBC’s decision to eschew the World Cup opening ceremony and instead focus on Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers, women, homosexuals and human rights.
“It’s the most controversial World Cup in history and a ball hasn’t even been kicked,” viewers of Match of the Day were told by host Gary Lineker.
“Ever since Fifa chose Qatar back in 2010, the smallest nation to have hosted football’s greatest competition has faced some big questions – from accusations of corruption in the bidding process to the treatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums where many lost their lives.
“Homosexuality is illegal here. Women’s rights and freedom of expression are in the spotlight. Also, the decision six years ago to switch the World Cup from summer to winter.”
Lineker added: “Against that backdrop, there’s a tournament to be played – one that will be watched and enjoyed around the world. Stick to football, say Fifa. Well, we will – for a couple of minutes at least.”
Joe Lycett shreds £10k over Beckham’s Qatar role
Meanwhile, comedian Joe Lycett kept his word and shredded £10,000 after “gay-icon” David Beckham ignored his ultimatum over working for Qatar.
Lycett set former England captain Beckham a Sunday-noon deadline to withdraw from his role as an ambassador for Qatar where homosexuality is illegal and “offenders” can be jailed for seven years.
“If you end your relationship with Qatar, I will donate ten grand of my own money (that’s a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting) to charities that support queer people in football,” Lycett told Beckham via social media on November 13.
“However, if you do not I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it right here. Not just the money, but also your status as gay icon will be shredded.”
However, Beckham didn’t so Lycett did – throwing the money into an industrial shredder during the live streamed stunt.
