England’s armband facing ban for Qatar

ENGLAND captain Harry Kane could be banned from wearing his One Love armband at the World Cup, with FIFA yet to give the go-ahead to the anti-discrimination gesture. Kane is among several World Cup skippers who want to wear the armband to promote diversity and inclusion in Qatar — where same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are criminalised. Now, England are on a collision course with FIFA and Qatar with the tournament just two months away. The armbands will be worn in this week’s Nations League fixtures after UEFA granted permission. However, FIFA are yet to follow suit, despite England and other nations writing to the governing body with their request. Any national team that defies FIFA by wearing the armband without permission could be «TURN TO PAGE 90, COL 4

thrown out of the World Cup — although that prospect is thought to be highly unlikely. The situation has already created a diplomatic storm. In 2018, the FA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Qatar FA which was seen as a ‘co-operation deal’, and officials in the Gulf state are ‘deeply unimpressed’ at the lack of consultation over the armband.

The Netherlands began the One Love campaign before Euro 2020 and Kane, who will wear the armband when England face Italy tonight, said: ‘I am honoured to join my fellow national team captains in supporting this campaign. ‘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.’