The “One Love” captain’s armband, which was to be worn by seven European teams playing in the World Cup, was outlawed by FIFA on Monday, putting an end to days of doubt.
The usage of “One Love” armbands, which they intended to wear during their matches, had prompted the English and Welsh football organisations to urgently request clarity from FIFA.
The armband, which was never formally sanctioned by FIFA, would put wearers at danger of an on-field “sporting fine,” according to the authority that oversees international football.
Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the FA, said on Monday that if Harry Kane receives a booking for donning the One Love armband, England would need to find “another means to represent our beliefs.”
Harry Kane, the English captain, has not yet said how he would react to the suspension.
The argument has caused division among England supporters; while some consider the armband as a significant sign of unity, others think it displays patronizing double standards.
Football unites the globe, “Share the food,” and other compromise phrases have been proposed by FIFA, who is also working with the UN on social projects throughout the World Cup.
No matter what on-field sanctions FIFA may impose on players who wear the armbands, nations around Europe have vowed to continue wearing them.
Manuel Neuer, the captain of Germany, said he will keep using the “OneLove” armband.
Other European countries are wearing the armband, and Neuer noted on Saturday that it was excellent that we were doing it together.
Virgil Van Dijk, the captain of the Netherlands, was less convinced. I don’t want to play while I’m on a yellow [card], so if I get one for wearing that, we’ll have to talk about it, he added.
The World Cup hosts have long contended that Qatar has been unfairly singled out for criticism over LGBT and human rights concerns, pointing to “double standards” in comparison to other countries.
