There is no end to controversy at FIFA World Cup in Qatar and one of them is over European teams’ decision to wear the 'One Love' armband.
The campaign, started by The Netherlands during Euro 2020, is being described as a way ‘to promote inclusion and send a message against discrimination of any kind.’
It is also being seen as a protest against persecution of LGBTQ community in Qatar which criminalises same-sex relationships.
Captains of The Netherlands, England, France, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Wales had decided to wear the One Love armband.
But FIFA which frowns upon the use of any political slogans or messages on football kits and jerseys, has clearly expressed its disapproval. It quoted regulations to say that only kits approved by FIFA can be worn on the field. It threatened sporting sanctions on the teams including issuing of a yellow card to the captain who wears the armband.
The teams have now decided not to wear the One Love armbands with national football associations saying that they do not want to put their captains at risk of sanctions and bookings.
To cushion the impact its stand, FIFA started its ‘No Discrimination’ campaign from the group stages itself. It was originally meant to start from the quarter finals.
The top football governing body said messaging opportunities for the campaign would be provided to the participating teams via captains’ armbands. It added that captains must wear the armbands provided by FIFA.
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