England, Germany and five other European teams at the World Cup on Monday dropped plans to wear a rainbow-themed armband in support of LGBTQ rights, citing threats of disciplinary action from FIFA.
“FIFA has made it very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the pitch,” the teams said in a joint statement.
Under FIFA rules, players wearing uniforms not approved by the body that regulates world football may receive a yellow card. If that player received a second yellow card, he would be sent off.
The ‘OneLove’ bracelet, which would be worn by the likes of England captain Harry Kane and German teammate Manuel Neuer, was designed as part of a campaign to promote inclusivity.
The bracelets were widely seen as a protest against the laws in host country Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
“As national associations, we cannot put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions, including yellow cards, so we urge captains not to attempt to wear armbands during FIFA World Cup matches.” said the England, Country FAs. Wales, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Captains are allowed to wear the FIFA ‘non-discrimination’ bracelet
On the same day, FIFA announced that it will bring forward the “No to Discrimination” campaign, scheduled from the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, so that the 32 captains of the national teams can wear the “No to Discrimination” armband during the tournament .
World football’s highest body anticipated the move, explaining that it is in line with FIFA’s equipment regulations, which stipulate that each captain will wear his approved armband.
“FIFA is an inclusive organization that wants to put football at the service of society, supporting good and legitimate causes, but this must be done in accordance with the rules of the competition, which everyone knows,” the organization stated.
Source: DN
