Georgia Stanway said England’s players stand squarely behind the ‘One Love’ campaign after FIFA released their own range of World Cup armbands.
The global game’s governing body unveiled eight different messages that players can support during the tournament - and one bears an uncanny resemblance to the one backed by the Football Association. It stands for inclusion, features a heart-shaped symbol and sports the same colours in a design that leans heavily upon the one which kicked off such a rumpus in Qatar seven months ago.
A statement released by the FA suggested the players were now considering which one of the causes they support. It read: “We know FIFA engaged with federations and players from around the world on the armbands to be worn at the Women’s World Cup.
“The next step is for our players to decide which of the options they will choose to wear.”
Stanway suggested that England’s players wanted to go with the FA’s choice - and remain supportive - but that the squad will accede to FIFA’s choice.
She said: “We’re able to fight for what we believe in and if we can or can’t wear the armband, we know that we wanted to. We will stand by the fact that we wanted to. And we stand for exactly the same thing as we always have.
“We’re in a place where everyone can have their own individual opinion and we’re fighting for that.”
Head coach Sarina Wiegman added: “I’m positive there will be a solution - and it will be one that fits us.”