ENGLAND CAPTAIN HARRY Kane is still set to wear the ‘OneLove’ rainbow armband against discrimination at the World Cup in Qatar despite Fifa announcing plans for its own band on the eve of the tournament.
Fifa confirmed its armbands would be worn as part of a partnership with United Nations agencies, and the Football Association [FA] is understood to be seeking clarity on whether that and the ‘OneLove’ version can be worn together.
While it respects the Fifa-UN initiative, the FA intends to continue supporting the ‘OneLove’ campaign regardless, in a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has said the FA is even prepared to be fined over the issue, having had no response from Fifa to a request for permission to wear it earlier in the autumn.
NEW | Battle of the armbands? Having been waiting for clarity from FIFA over their support for the One Love armband campaign, FA surprised by FIFA’s sudden announcement of their own captains’ armband campaign here in Qatar ⬇️ #NoDiscrimination won’t be shown until 1/4 finals: pic.twitter.com/a1e9WA5zpJ
FIFA has teamed up with @UNESCO, @WFP and @WHO to harness the power of football and spread positive messages globally, with each round of matches at the @FIFAWorldCup having a dedicated campaign to maximise reach and impact.#FootballUnitesTheWorld
The game’s global governing body said captains of the 32 nations would wear armbands in support of different social campaigns at each stage of the tournament.
The theme in the quarter-finals will be ‘no discrimination’.
Wales are another of the nine European nations set to wear the ‘OneLove’ armbands during the tournament.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer, who will do likewise, says he was had “no fear” about possible repercussions from Fifa for his country’s human rights stances.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday at the team’s training base in Al-Shamal, Nueur noted:
“Firstly, I want to say that we all haven’t experienced something like this — the whole tournament is an experiment.
“But we have the complete backing of the (German Football Association), we have no fear.”
Neuer emphasised that the “power the armband has” was greater if several countries wore it.
“Other European nations are wearing (the armband) and it is good we are doing it together.”
Team official Oliver Bierhoff said on Saturday it appeared Fifa “does not have a clear stance” amid mixed messages presented in the lead-up to the tournament.
“We assume we can continue to wear the armband” the former Germany striker said.
Speaking on Friday, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said he was “personally ready to pay a fine” should penalties be levied for wearing the armband.
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Harry Kane still set to wear OneLove armband despite Fifa’s late intervention
LAST UPDATE | 19 Nov 2022
ENGLAND CAPTAIN HARRY Kane is still set to wear the ‘OneLove’ rainbow armband against discrimination at the World Cup in Qatar despite Fifa announcing plans for its own band on the eve of the tournament.
Fifa confirmed its armbands would be worn as part of a partnership with United Nations agencies, and the Football Association [FA] is understood to be seeking clarity on whether that and the ‘OneLove’ version can be worn together.
While it respects the Fifa-UN initiative, the FA intends to continue supporting the ‘OneLove’ campaign regardless, in a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has said the FA is even prepared to be fined over the issue, having had no response from Fifa to a request for permission to wear it earlier in the autumn.
The game’s global governing body said captains of the 32 nations would wear armbands in support of different social campaigns at each stage of the tournament.
The theme in the quarter-finals will be ‘no discrimination’.
Wales are another of the nine European nations set to wear the ‘OneLove’ armbands during the tournament.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer, who will do likewise, says he was had “no fear” about possible repercussions from Fifa for his country’s human rights stances.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday at the team’s training base in Al-Shamal, Nueur noted:
“Firstly, I want to say that we all haven’t experienced something like this — the whole tournament is an experiment.
“But we have the complete backing of the (German Football Association), we have no fear.”
Neuer emphasised that the “power the armband has” was greater if several countries wore it.
“Other European nations are wearing (the armband) and it is good we are doing it together.”
Team official Oliver Bierhoff said on Saturday it appeared Fifa “does not have a clear stance” amid mixed messages presented in the lead-up to the tournament.
“We assume we can continue to wear the armband” the former Germany striker said.
Speaking on Friday, DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said he was “personally ready to pay a fine” should penalties be levied for wearing the armband.
- Additional reporting from – © AFP 2022
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