England’s World Cup dream got off to a flying start today with a 6-2 victory over Iran in the Qatar heat.
But the joy was marred as skipper Harry Kane was ordered not to wear a OneLove armband in support of gay rights.
He faced a booking under FIFA rules. But one England fans’ group said “we feel betrayed” by the ban.
FIFA was tonight slammed for stopping Kane and Wales captain Gareth Bale from wearing the armbands in Qatar.
The English and Welsh FAs asked their skippers not to wear the bands because they faced the risk of being booked in their opening games.
Kane, 29, and Bale, 33, had vowed to wear the armbands in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Homosexual activity is illegal in Qatar, whose World Cup ambassador recently said it was “damage in the mind”.
England and Wales had joined forces with five other countries and agreed to wear the OneLove rainbow armband.
But the English FA was forced into a U-turn by FIFA, an hour before the 6-2 win against Iran.
Spurs ace Kane would have faced an instant yellow card if he walked on to the field wearing an armband.
The Football Supporters Association blasted FIFA, saying: “We feel betrayed.
“We feel contempt for an organisation that has shown its true values by giving the yellow card to players and red card to tolerance.”
The FA said: “We cannot put our players in a situation where they might be booked or even forced to leave the field.”
Minutes after the announcement, the word “spineless” trended online.
The Welsh FA, forced to tell Bale not to wear an armband against the USA, said in a joint statement with the English FA: “Our players and coaches are disappointed. They are strong supporters of inclusion.”
Pundit Roy Keane said Kane and Bale should have worn the band for a match and “took the punishment”.
He said: “That would have been a great statement.”
Kane said: “We wanted to wear it, that decision was taken out of my hands.”
Boss Gareth Southgate said: “I understand FIFA’s situation. They don’t want to set a precedent.”
Some fans in Qatar were furious with the FA.
Shaun Rowland, 56, of Hertfordshire, said: “They bottled it.”
Steve Wright, 43, of Derby, said: “They’re bowing to the Qatari government’s oppression.” Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan tweeted: “The England & Wales players have my support.”
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “It’s time to show FIFA and Qatar the red card.”
BBC pundit Alex Scott wore the OneLove armband during pre-match coverage of the Iran game, winning support from Twitter users.
FIFA has also asked Belgium to remove the word “love” from shirts. Armbands backing FIFA’s “No Discrimination” campaign are allowed.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino sparked fury when he claimed he understood how it felt for gay fans in Qatar.
David Beckham cheered England from the posh seats, as comic Joe Lycett confessed he faked shredding £10,000 in a protest at Becks’ £10million ambassador role.
Joe donated it to LGBTQ+ charities, as he had offered to do if Becks pulled out of his deal in protest at Qatar’s human rights issues.
Joe said: “It was an empty threat designed to get people talking.”
