Netherlands have become the latest in a clutch of nations to have backtracked on wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband at the Qatar World Cup - despite the whole plan being their idea.
The captains of nine nations competing at the finals had put plans in place to don the armbands during matches in a bid to support inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar, a country that prohibits same-sex marriage. The idea itself was initially suggested by the Dutch, with Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk claiming on Sunday that he was pressing ahead despite the threat of an instant yellow card.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: "I will wear the OneLove armband tomorrow. Nothing changed from our point of view. If I will get a yellow card for wearing it then we would have to discuss it because I don't like to play while being on a yellow."
