Gareth Southgate’s squad have come under fire for backing down from wearing One Love armbands in their opening game of the World Cup.
England were set to wear LGBTQ+ supporting One Love armbands in their opening game to make a statement against all forms of discrimination in Qatar.
But after Southgate’s side were warned that teams wearing armbands could receive Fifa sanctions, Harry Kane led his side out at the Khalifa International Stadium with Fifa-approved “no discrimination” slogan wrapped around his arm.
Pride, an LGBTQ+ charity began a campaign last week urging people in Manchester and across the UK to boycott the World Cup in Qatar where homosexuality is illegal.
Alex Scott was praised for wearing a One Love armband pitch-side but the England squad were heavily criticised on social media.
The English FA released a joint statement alongside six other European nations which said, “We can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions including bookings, so we have asked captains not to wear the armbands.”
Laura Williamson, The Athletic’s deputy editor, gave a damming statement ahead of kick-off.
Image courtesy of Matt Brown via flickr
