Countries with teams planning to wear a ‘One Love’ armband at the World Cup have told their captains not to attempt to do so for fear of sporting sanctions, a joint statement has said.
England and Wales will not wear an anti-discrimination armband in their World Cup matches on Monday after FIFA threatened them with sporting sanctions.
A joint statement from seven European nations who had signed up to the ‘One Love’ campaign – which included England and Wales – confirmed they had asked for the armbands to no longer be worn.
“FIFA has been very clear that it will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the field of play,” the statement began.
“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.”
England face Iran in their first game in Group B on Monday afternoon and while the FA is prepared to accept a fine for wearing the armband, the threat of Kane being booked before the game gets under way could cause a rethink.
Kane is among the captains of nine European nations who planned to wear the rainbow armbands, with Wales and the Netherlands the other teams among that number who are also in action on Monday.
England skipper Kane and manager Gareth Southgate had shown their support for wearing the armband on Sunday.
Kane said: “I think we’ve made it clear as a team and a staff and organisation that we want to wear the armband.
“I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment, and I’m sure by game-time they will have their decision. But, yeah, I think we’ve made it clear that we want to wear it.”
Asked for his opinion given the apparent threat of a yellow card, boss Southgate added: “There’s nothing I can add to what Harry has said.
“I know there are some conversations going on. I think a number of European countries have spoken.
“We’ve made our position clear, so hopefully everything will be resolved before the game.”
