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England football team captain Harry Kane will continue to wear the OneLove armband at the Qatar World Cup even if the global governing body prohibits it. Notably, the FA announced in September that England will wear a rainbow captain's armband during the tournament as part of an anti-discrimination initiative, and in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Meanwhile, Qatar, the hosting nation has strict rules against those who host flags supporting homosexuality.
FIFA has not cleared its stance on the same yet but FA is determined that England's captain will wear the armband. Captains from nine European countries, including England and Wales, are planning on wearing the armbands at the World Cup. The UEFA Working Group in Qatar asked FIFA for permission three weeks ago and is waiting for a response. The delegation will take up the matter when they meet FIFA in Zurich on Wednesday.
The delegation will also be seeking FIFA’s permission for setting up a compensation fund for migrant workers and their families and the establishment of a welfare centre in Doha for migrant workers. FA is a part of the working members but won’t be a part of the delegation travelling to Zurich on Wednesday. Nevertheless, they are clear on their stand.
England team’s manager Gareth Southgate had made it clear in September that the team will try to do everything possible to show their support in such matters. "There is not a lot more the players, in particular, can do other than talk about those issues and put them on the table because in the end, we are asking for a change in a country we are respectful of, has made progress, but don't have any control over,” Southgate was quoted saying by SkySports.
"We've done a lot of research, the FA have had countless meetings with NGOs, migrant workers in Qatar, they've gathered all the information and requests of people affected. There's a limit to what can be achieved. Talking about the issues and raising the issues and putting them on the table is the vehicle that people involved in sport we've used in the past and it is what we're trying to do this time.”
