Denmark may quit FIFA, discusses legal action over ‘ One Love’ armband
DENMARK is considering quitting FIFA and is discussing taking legal action against the body with England after players were banned from wearing ‘ One Love’ armbands during the World Cup, reports
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, and is punishable with up to seven years in prison. And prior to the controversial tournament, a host of European countries had planned on wearing special armbands, which were designed to act as a subtle nod to the LGBTQ+ community.
However, it was announced this week that FIFA had pulled the plug on the plans, with the organisation threatening to impose harsh sanctions on the teams.
Following the decision, the Danish football federation chief executive Jakob Jensen said he was in talks with the participating nations, which includes England and Wales, about taking legal action against FIFA.
He said: “Now we’re looking into what are the legal options, we are co- ordinating our discussions on that as well but at this point it is not possible to go to CAS ( Court of Arbitration for Sports).
“You can’t go through CAS now and I think this is some rumour running around the press.
“The Germans are looking into the legal possibilities. It’s very different than going through CAS.
“If you want to go through CAS you need to complain within the FIFA system first, you need to go to the appeals body, then you can go through CAS.”
Beyond this, Jensen said the Danes have also been thinking about leaving FIFA all together.
“It is not a decision that has been made now. We have been clear about this for a long time. We have been discussing it in the Nordic region since August,” he said.
“I’ve thought it again. I imagine that there may be challenges if Denmark leaves on its own. But let us see if we cannot have a dialogue on things.
“I have to think about the question of how to restore confidence in FIFA. We must evaluate what has happened, and then we must create a strategy – also with our Nordic colleagues.”
The English FA said it was disappointed by FIFA’S decision to ban the ‘ One Love’ armbands.
In a statement, the body said it had been ‘ prepared to pay fines’ but didn’t want to put the players’ chances of playing in the tournament at jeopardy.
A spokesperson for the body said: “FIFA has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play.