Armband ‘concerned’ Southgate
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate says the failure to secure FIFA approval for Harry Kane to wear the ‘Onelove’ captain’s armband prior to the match against Iran had been a concern to him, and admits there are lessons to be learned from the controversy.
The Football Association had sought approval to wear the armband as far back as September, but received no reply.
The governing body was prepared to be fined for wearing it, but when it emerged in the hours before kick-off FIFA could issue yellow cards to Kane and the other six European captains who had been set to wear the band, the plan was dropped.
Southgate said after the win over Iran he understood FIFA had to be careful about setting a precedent, adding: “I was a bit concerned that approval hadn’t been given and I think there are lessons to be learned from that, if I’m honest.
“But we had to focus on the football and other people had to do that talking overnight and (on Sunday and Monday morning).
“I didn’t want anything distracting the players. There’s been a huge amount of talk around us, which is understandable.
“If we can help raise awareness of other issues then we want to do that and we will always try to do that.”
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk rejected suggestions the European countries involved had been spineless in backing down over the issue.
“I play in a position where a yellow card is not useful. I became a football player and I want to play these kind of tournaments,” said the Liverpool defender.