harry kane one love world cup qatar who puts the armband

The World Cup in Qatar, which started just 24 hours ago, is increasingly at the center of controversy and extra-sporting tension. There are at least 7 captains of as many national teams who risk receiving a yellow card from Fifa before even stepping onto the pitch.

The global media value of these World Cups takes shape through the denunciation of Qatar as a country flouting civil rights. Apart from football. And now the captains of 7 national teams have announced that they are ready to wear a multicolored armband against discrimination and in support of the lesbian, gay, transgender (Lgbtq+) community. However, Fifa does not allow “desertions” from the neutrality line.

Photo Twitter @Its_Iperurania

And therefore the captains risk being warned before the start of the matches. This would be, according to Sky News, the orientation of Fifa. The first preventive warning could come today, November 21. Harry Kane, captain of England, has announced his firm intention to wear the anti-discrimination armband in the colors of the rainbow. Behind the scenes, negotiations continue. In addition to England, other European teams present at the World Cup are concerned: Wales, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Germany (captain Manuel Neuer has already worn the rainbow armband sky on other occasions) and Switzerland. Contacts between Fifa and the Football Association – the English football federation – could lead to a solution intended to condition the behavior of the national teams which will take the field later.

World Cup, England is already a “case”

The spotlight is on the England national team in the first place. England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed his players will take a knee at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The Three Lions national team have made the gesture against racism and discrimination in 33 consecutive matches since their return to action following the closure due to Covid-19. England didn’t kneel in September games but will do in their Group B opener against Iran and other World Cup fixtures in Qatar as well.

Harry Kane, captain of the England national team, with the rainbow armband. Photo Twitter @JamesMelville

“We discussed whether to take a knee,” Southgate said. “We think we should. We understand that in the Premier League the clubs have decided to do it only for certain matches, the big occasions. We think this World Cup is a bigger step and we think it’s a strong statement that will go around the world for young people in particular.” The Premier League captains agreed earlier this season to use specific times to kneel without making the gesture in every game. But the fact is – as the technical commissioner explicitly said – that the World Cup in Qatar is a global “stage”. And maybe there will be Is there more than one national team which will implement forms of contestation, if not recalling certain typically Western values.

FIFA and Qatar

It remains to understand the reaction of the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, which it does not seem that Gianni Infantino, President of Fifa, wants to ignore. A week ago, the Report broadcast on Rai Tre recounted the plots that would have distinguished this competition for a decade. Qatar – it is the hypothesis – would have received the piloted mission of the 2022 World Cup from Fifa in exchange for an unspeakable compensation. Like the purchase of arms by the emirate from France by President Nicolas Sarkozy. “We worked hard and many to set up a successful tournament, we put all our efforts for the good of humanity. Finally, the day we have all been waiting for has arrived,” Emir Al Thani said at the inauguration. But the next few days are said to be quiet.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the opening of the World Cup. Photo Ansa/Epa Friedemann Vogel