It was set to be a unified call for inclusion and support towards the LGBTQ+ community, but it ultimately turned out to be a whimpered down version of events that catered mostly to a state with questionable human rights records...
Ahead of arriving in Qatar, the England and Wales captains vowed to wear OneLove armbands during the course of the tournament to show their support for LGBTQ+ rights. For a place where same-sex activity is still illegal and can see people fined, imprisoned or even face the death penalty, it was set to be a defiant and brave move.
But just hours before England took to the pitch against Iran this afternoon, the Football Associations for both teams, alongside Belgium, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland, announced they had decided to back down from the plan following warnings from FIFA, which suggested sporting sanctions would be imposed on anyone wearing the OneLove armbands.
