England’s World Cup stars boarded a plane called ‘Rain Bow’ on Tuesday morning as they headed to Qatar, in an early act of World Cup defiance.
Gareth Southgate’s men departed from Birmingham Airport on a chartered flight with Virgin Atlantic, to head to the Middle East as they prepare to set up camp just outside the capital, Doha.
Among the criticism of the hosts is the country’s oppressive laws and treatment of LGBT+ people. Anyone found participating in same-sex sexual activity in Qatar can be punished by up to seven years in prison.
Duly, the Three Lions, headed out on a jet named ‘Rain Bow’ – the symbol of LGBT+ pride. 'Rain Bow' is also named Oscar, a cartoon man holding a Union Jack flag while wearing rainbow-coloured trainers, situated at the front of the plane beneath the cabin.
England skipper Harry Kane is one of several national captains who plan to participate in the ‘OneLove’ campaign during the tournament to oppose discrimination.
An FA spokesperson said: “We show our support for inclusion in many ways, including wearing the One Love Armband during the tournament.”
The plane has been chartered solely for for use by the England squad, staff and Football Association officials. It contains 44 upper class, 56 premium and 235 economy seats.
Football's world governing body, FIFA, has urged countries to focus on football during the competition. But England chief Southgate has said it is "highly unlikely" that England will do so.
Speaking last week, he said: "We’re very strong on inclusivity. We understand the challenges that this tournament brings . . . the human rights challenges.
"We’ve always spoken about issues we think should be talked about, particularly ones we feel we can affect."
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Southgate's comments came after a World Cup ambassador told German TV broadcaster ZDF that homosexuality is "damage in the mind".
Former Qatari international Khalid Salman addressed the issue of homosexuality, which continues to be illegal in the conservative Muslim country, and declared that visitors to the country during the World Cup "have to accept our rules here".
"(Homosexuality) is haram. You know what haram (forbidden) means?" he said. Asked why it was haram, Salman said: "I am not a strict Muslim but why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind."
The interview was then immediately stopped by an accompanying official.
On board the England flight was, of course, under-fire Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, whom Southgate continues to stick by despite his struggles at club level this term.
He is likely to partner John Stones at the heart of defence in the opener against Iran on Monday, and the Manchester City man insists they can be relied upon by the Three Lions, having forged bonds “too strong to be broken”.
“When I look at Harry, I see a partner. Through all the experiences we’ve had together he’s had my back and I’ve had his back.
"We’ve had so many games together, we’ve made a bond and a partnership together. We know what the other person is going to do and how we work best together. It clicks.
“Whatever team or whatever system Gareth decides, if it’s me and Harry we will use those bonds again. They are too strong to be broken by (lack of) game time, form, whatever it is. That kind of goes out the window when these moments hit.
“Harry’s an incredible player, you don’t get to the standard he has without being. The adversity he has gone through, and still is to some extent, shows the character of the person to never give in.”
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