The Football Association are considering other ways of showing support for marginalised groups including the LGBTQ+ community as threats of FIFA sanctions remain ahead of England's World Cup opener against Iran.
Three Lions captain Harry Kane had been set to wear the OneLove armband promoting solidarity and inclusion but FIFA rules could mean that he would receive 'sporting sanctions' and could be given a yellow card for the act of wearing it.
Although the FA have claimed to have assurances over Qatar's stance on LGBTQ+ rights during the tournament, backing down from their position of wearing the armband would raise serious questions, especially after Kane said before the match, "We've made it clear as a team and staff that we want to wear the armband."
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That is still in doubt following talks on Sunday night and Monday morning though, with FA CEO Mark Bullingham admitting on BBC Radio 4's Today programme that if there was to be a yellow card punishment for wearing the armband that it might be ditched.
"We've had meetings this morning with FIFA and there are discussions carrying on," he explained. "As I've said, we want to wear the armband and we're keen to do it but we would need to consider the implications.
"Normally in this type of situation there would be a fine to get paid and we've always said we're very happy to do that, happy might be the wrong word, but we'd be prepared to pay the fine as it's important to show our support for inclusion.
“If the sporting sanctions threat is real then we need to look at that and take a step back, take another look at ways we can show our values.”
Many will question whether the armband alone is enough support regardless, so backing down from their position this late on won't be a good look for England. Other European countries including Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Wales had all been set to wear the armbands as well, but Gareth Southgate's side play first and will likely set the precedent.
Bullingham had told BBC reporter Dan Roan on Thursday, "We are prepared to take a fine if necessary. We've been very clear that all England teams will be wearing that for this season. It's a really positive message for inclusivity and we think it's important to do that."
Southgate did reveal that his team will be taking the knee before the game against Carlos Queiroz's side in support of the fight against racial discrimination.
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