England’s Harry Kane and other captains could be BANNED from wearing OneLove armbands
The captains of England – and a host of other nations – could be banned from wearing their OneLove armbands at the World Cup.
Sportsmail understands that no permission has yet been given by FIFA for Harry Kane and other skippers to wear the armbands, which promote diversity and inclusion and are anti-discrimination, in Qatar – where same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are criminalised.
Now, England and the likes of Germany, Wales and France are on a serious collision course both with world football’s governing body and the Gulf state itself, with the tournament just two months away.
The armbands will be worn at the latest round of Nations League fixtures, with permission being given by UEFA.
However, the green light has not yet been given by FIFA, despite England writing to them with their request.
England captain Harry Kane will wear a rainbow ‘OneLove’ armband in upcoming UEFA Nations League matches – but FIFA hasn’t yet granted permission to wear them at the World Cup
England and nine other European countries have joined the ‘OneLove’ campaign
Permission must be granted before the armbands are worn, according to FIFA rules.
Those involved, who also include Denmark, Belgium and Sweden, could be forbidden from wearing the bands should that permission not be forthcoming.
And they could even be banned from the tournament – however, that prospect has been deemed ‘highly unlikely’.
The situation has already created a diplomatic storm. In 2018, the FA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar Football Association.
The Dutch captain Georginio Wijnaldum wears the rainbow armband during a June fixture
Migrant workers sleeping on the pavements in Qatar’s capital, which will host the World Cup
That agreement was seen as a ‘co-operation deal’ and officials in the Gulf State are said to be ‘deeply unimpressed’ having not been consulted over the armbands.
It is thought that the ball is now in Qatar’s court. They are expected to liaise with FIFA over next steps.
The Netherlands began the OneLove campaign prior to Euro 2020.
England have announced that migrant workers will be invited to their World Cup base in Qatar
‘I am honoured to join my fellow national team captains in supporting the important OneLove campaign,’ said Kane, who will sport the armband when England take on Italy tomorrow night.
‘As captains we may all be competing against each other on the pitch, but we stand together against all forms of discrimination. This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society.’