Harry Kane will lead the England team out wearing an anti-discrimination armband during the upcoming winter World Cup in Qatar. The English FA has joined forces with nine other European federations in supporting the season-long OneLove campaign against discrimination.
The Tottenham striker will wear the armband for the first time this Friday when the Three Lions take on Italy in the Nations League. Kane will be among eight captains of countries who qualified for the 2022 World Cup to wear the OneLove armband - with the other countries being Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland, Wales and the Netherlands, with the latter creating the initiative.
Same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are criminsalised in the Middle Eastern country. The armband includes a heart containing colours representing all backgrounds, as it aims to increase inclusivity of LGBTQ+ supporters
Kane said: “I am honoured to join my fellow national team captains in supporting the important OneLove campaign. As captains we may all be competing against each other on the pitch, but we stand together against all forms of discrimination.
"This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society. Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching.”
The FA is aiming to highlight the human rights situation in Qatar by continually seeking assurances from the local organising committee that all fans, no matter their sexuality, will be welcome, safe and secure in Qatar.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham also said they are pestering FIFA for an update regarding families of migrant workers who have lost their lives or been injured in construction projects receiving compensation. The creation of a centre to help those workers access support is also being lobbied.
The organisation added that a group of migrant workers have been invited to England’s World Cup training base at Al Wakrah to meet the players. Human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International, have urged the global governing body to set aside £388 (equivalent to the prize money on offer to teams at the World Cup) to support a compensation fund and help establish a migrant workers centre.
Campaigners estimate more than 6,500 workers have died in helping to construct the infrastructure.
