It started as a big ‘project’ but soon failed. In fact, it failed after a strong FIFA response. England, Germany, Belgium, Wales, Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland wanted to show a symbolic gesture and support the LGBT community in Qatar with an ‘OneLove’ armband, but when faced with the football governing body’s strict rules, decided to quit. And now, the LGBT community is not happy, since they were offered false hope and nobody actually bothered to read the FIFA rule book, before coming out with this initiative.The Football Supporters’ Association have given their take on FIFA’s decision to sanction those wearing the OneLove armband. pic.twitter.com/g0J6qvw5Ig— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) November 21, 2022 It was not expected that FIFA would allow such an armband anyway and the reply soon came: players wearing kit that is not authorized by football’s world governing body could be shown a yellow card at the start of the game. That would basically mean that if a player receives another yellow card during the game for a rough tackle, he would be shown the red card. And nobody wanted to risk that.”FIFA has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play. As national federations, we can’t put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions including bookings, so we have asked the captains not to attempt to wear the armbands in FIFA World Cup games” the seven teams said in a joint statement.England players decide to take the knee in their maiden WC gameMonday’s decision came just hours before England were due to kick off their World Cup campaign Iran and the Netherlands opened their tournament against Senegal. Wales are also playing later Monday against the United States. Earlier, France captain Hugo Lloris decided not to wear the armband, even before FIFA announced the possible punishment. Spurs keeper had a simple explanation.“When we are in France, when we welcome foreigners, we often want them to follow our rules, to respect our culture, and I will do the same when I go to Qatar, quite simply,” he said last week. I can agree or disagree with their ideas, but I have to show respect” said Lloris.Rudiger to donate World Cup money to fund surgeries for children in Sierra LeoneFIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly insisted however that all fans and visitors to the finals would be welcome, regardless of sexual orientation.”I’ve been speaking about this topic with the highest leadership, they can confirm that I can confirm that everyone is welcome. If you’re a person that says the opposite, well it’s not the opinion of the country, or FIFA. Everyone that comes to Qatar is welcome” Infantino said before the tournament kicked off.WORLD CUPSunday, Nov 20thQatar – Ecuador 0-2 (0-2)/Valencia 16 pen, 31/Monday, Nov 21st16:00: (1.35) England (4.60) Iran (10.5) B19:00: (6.00) Senegal (3.70) Netherlands (1.62) A22:00: (2.65) USA (3.00) Wales (2.90) B
