The Football Association are waiting to hear what punishment they will receive if Harry Kane wears the OneLove armband during England's World Cup opener against Iran.
Kane, Wales skipper Gareth Bale and seven other World Cup captains are planning on wearing the armband to promote diversity and inclusion in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are outlawed. Yet FIFA launched their own initiative on the eve of the tournament.
World football's governing body want each nation to wear their armbands to promote environmentalism, education, healthy living, children's safety and anti-discrimination. Yet the anti-discrimination armband will not be used until the latter stages of the World Cup.
England, Wales and the other seven nations all want their captains to continue with the OneLove campaign, which was launched by the Netherlands ahead of Euro 2020. Kane wore the armband in England's recent Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany.
Yet FIFA could force Gareth Southgate's side and Rob Page's team to abandon the campaign due to damaging sanctions. Participating teams are concerned their captains could be immediately booked by officials for wearing an unsanctioned armband.
If that's the case, Kane and Bale could - in theory - be suspended for the England vs Wales fixture on November 29. Players receive a one-match suspension by FIFA if they pick up two yellow cards at the World Cup. It also puts them at greater risk of being sent off.
Do you think Harry Kane and Gareth Bale should defy FIFA and wear the OneLove armband? Let us know in the comments below!
As reported by The Athletic, the FA would be willing to accept a fine as punishment for wearing the OneLove armband. Yet it will be difficult for the likes of Kane and Bale to accept a yellow card for the protest. An update from FIFA is expected imminently.
England's World Cup campaign gets underway on Monday, when they take on Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium. Wales, managed by Rob Page, are also in action on Monday - as they take on the United States at the Al Rayyan Stadium.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer has pledged to wear the OneLove armband regardless of FIFA's view. Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk is also planning on supporting the campaign but has admitted he "would have to discuss it" if he will be booked for doing so.
"I think we’ve made it clear as a team and a staff and organisation that we want to wear the armband," said Kane on Sunday. I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment, and I’m sure by game-time tomorrow they will have their decision. But, yeah, I think we’ve made it clear that we want to wear it."
Southgate added: "There’s nothing I can add to what Harry has said. I know there are some conversations going on. I think a number of European countries have spoken. We’ve made our position clear, so hopefully everything will be resolved before the game."
Bale said: "Us as footballers, it's been a difficult subject to talk about. We can shed a light on problems that are going on. We've spoken to the FAW, they've been speaking to the Welsh Government who have been speaking to Qatar and FIFA in working on these issues.
"For us as players we are fully behind it and support everything we can do. Us as footballers, the most we can do is make awareness and it's for people higher up to hopefully make change for the better. We support everything in terms of the armband and we'll be doing as much as we can to hopefully get change in the right way."
England have also pledged to take the knee against Iran to protest against racial discrimination and inequality. It's unclear at this stage if Iran will follow suit.
