FIFA has banned players at this summer’s Women’s World Cup from wearing rainbow armbands in direct support of LGBTQ+ rights - instead providing alternatives including an amended version to the OneLove armband.
Despite uproar during last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar regarding the wearing of the OneLove captain’s armband, FIFA has announced that it will not change its stance in Australia and New Zealand, with sanctions possible should teams be found in contravention of the rules.
Eight FIFA-sanctioned armbands have instead been provided as alternative options to the OneLove armband, each highlighting different social causes. The themes were selected after consultation with the 32 participating teams, players and United Nations agencies.
The armbands’ messages are: Unite for Inclusion, Unite for Indigenous Peoples, Unite for Gender Equality, Unite for Peace, Unite for Education for All, Unite for Zero, Unite for Ending Violence against Women and Football is Joy, Peace, Love, Hope and Passion.
The Unite for Inclusion armband bears the same multi-coloured logo as that used in the OneLove armband. England, who face Haiti in their opening match of the tournament on 22 June in Brisbane, have not announced which armbands they wear.
England were one of seven European nations in Qatar who opted against wearing rainbow the OneLove armband after threats of bookings and ejections from matches.
In a statement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “Football unites the world and our global events, such as the Fifa Women’s World Cup,have a unique power to bring people together and provide joy, excitement and passion.
“But football does even more than that – it can shine the spotlight on very important causes in our society. After some very open talks with stakeholders, including member associations and players, we have decided to highlight a series of social causes – from inclusion to gender equality, from peace to ending hunger, from education to tackling domestic violence – during all 64 matches at the Fifa Women’s World Cup.”
In addition to the armbands, the social causes and messaging will be promoted throughout the women’s tournament through advertising boards, around stadiums and on social media. Captains will be allowed to choose a message to wear for the entire tournament or one corresponding to the chosen matchday theme.
In March, FIFA insisted discussions were still ongoing over the wearing of the OneLove armband after the German FA raised the issue during a World Cup planning workshop.
England captain Leah Williamson donned the rainbow captain’s armband throughout England’s successful Euro2022 campaign and remained forthright in her desire to see the armband worn at the summer’s tournament.
