FIFA’s sad own goal

WE saw the best and worst of football in Qatar yesterday as England and Wales kicked off their World Cup campaigns.

FIFA banning Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and other captains from wearing OneLove armbands to oppose prejudice, particularly against LGBTQ+ people, was the ugly face of the sport.

Selling football to a Qatari anti-gay regime for a fistful of dollars was a victory for discrimination over decency.

But we also saw an inspiring display of solidarity from Iran’s players.

The team bravely declined to sing their national anthem before the clash with England to express support for anti-regime protests in their home country.

What a courageous show of solidarity when activists believe more than 400 protesters have been killed in a ruthless crackdown.

FIFA should be ashamed, and Iran’s players applauded.