FIFA have approved a special Argentina kit request ahead of their World Cup clash with England, as the governing body faces scrutiny over its inconsistent treatment of similar appeals
FIFA risk angering multiple parties after approving a special request from Argentina at the World Cup. The tournament’s governing body has encountered scandal after scandal in North America, many involving Lionel Messi’s team, including the controversial manner in which they knocked out Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
That fixture arranged a blockbuster encounter with England. Throughout the last-eight clash, Argentina wore black armbands to honour Antonio Ubaldo Rattin.
He ranked amongst the nation’s most celebrated captains and passed away aged 89 shortly before Argentina stepped onto the pitch to face Switzerland.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) sought special permission from FIFA, which received approval, permitting players and coaching staff to don armbands during the entire match.
Rattin led Argentina at the 1962 and 1966 World Cups and remains amongst the most legendary figures in their sporting heritage, reports the Express.
FIFA made the correct decision by approving the special request, yet failing to do so elsewhere has sparked controversy.
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France likewise submitted an application as they sought to honour Didier Deschamps’ late mother, given the national team manager missed their fixture with Norway following her passing.
The French Football Federation (FFF) were refused permission by FIFA to don black armbands in remembrance of Deschamps’ late mother. Deschamps had travelled back to France to attend the funeral and wasn’t on the touchline, with his squad prevented from wearing similar armbands to those donned by Argentina later in the competition.
Gary Lineker spearheaded the criticism of FIFA at the time as he slammed the organisation for their ruling.
Norway handed stand-in boss Guy Stephan a bouquet of flowers as a mark of respect to Deschamps, but Lineker believed more action should have been taken.
He told L’Équipe: “The loss of his mother is a tragedy. It’s truly sad, and I still can’t believe FIFA didn’t allow the players to wear black armbands.”
France had also announced prematurely that a minute’s silence would be observed in honour of Deschamps’ mother.
Nevertheless, a moment of remembrance had already been arranged in Massachusetts in memory of the earthquake victims in Venezuela, where over 900 people perished.
Argentina have submitted another special appeal to FIFA ahead of their clash with England, unconnected to the tragedies, requesting to don their all-blue strip instead of their blue and white kit.
They have sported the blue and white colours in every fixture at the World Cup except one, when they defeated Jordan in the group phase.