By Victor Kanayo
It is now confirmed that England and Harry Kane will not be allowed to wear the ‘One Love’ armband at the Qatar World Cup.
According to the Telegraph, the English FA have been told that players will not be allowed to wear the armband, which is designed to show solidarity with minority groups that are criminalised in Qatar.
The report states that FIFA held a standard meeting with team officials on Sunday, where it was revealed that their regulations do not allow any extra equipment to be worn. The decision has left the FA ‘deeply frustrated’.
There is concern among some European nations who have pledged to wear the armband in Qatar that the team captain could be subject to a booking as soon as the game kicks off, although that has not yet been conveyed to the players,” the Telegraph article states.
Kane is one of 10 captains who have indicated they will wear the OneLove armband – which includes a “heart containing colours representative of all backgrounds”.
Nine of those ten national sides have qualified for this winter’s tournament in Qatar, where same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are criminalised.
The initiative was created by the Netherlands, and will also be supported by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales, as well as Kane’s England.
The confusion overshadowed the start of England’s World Cup campaign in Doha, as Southgate claimed that his players have made the ‘impossible possible’ as his team begin their adventure on Monday.
Following years in the international football’s doldrums, England head into this afternoon’s opener against Iran as genuine contenders to lift the trophy at the Lusail Stadium on December 18.
Having finished fourth at World Cup 2018, the national team followed up their impressive showing in Russia by finishing runners-up at last year’s European Championships.
