FIFA and Infantino slammed by group of fans over armbar threat - 'Today we feel betrayed'

FIFA has been heavily criticized by the Football Supporters' Association after plans for England and Wales to wear anti-discrimination armbands were scrapped under threat of a sporting sanction.

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The English and Welsh FAs feared that Harry Kane and Gareth Bale could be punished for wearing the rainbow-coloured OneLove armband, as it is not FIFA-approved equipment .

FIFA issued its own armbands for the 32 competing nations to wear instead, and the FSA issued a furious statement in response, paraphrasing the president's bizarre "Today I feel gay" speech. FIFA Gianni Infantino on Saturday.

"To paraphrase FIFA President Gianni Infantino - today LGBT+ football fans and their allies will be angry," a statement read.

"Today we feel betrayed. Today we despise an organization that has shown its true values ​​by giving the yellow card to players and the red card to tolerance.

"Never again should a World Cup be handed out solely on the basis of money and infrastructure. No country that does not respect LGBT+ rights, women's rights, workers' rights or any other human rights universal should have the honor of hosting a World Cup.

"Since 2010, we have been raising questions about Qatar's suitability as a World Cup host. Everyone could see it coming and it was amazing that on the morning of the World Cup opening world in England, FIFA is trying to censor players for sharing a positive message."

Infantino hit out at European critics of Qatar on Saturday, accusing them of hypocrisy over complaints about migrant and LGBTQ+ rights.

"I think for what we Europeans have done for the past 3,000 years, we should apologize for the next 3,000 years before we start lecturing people," he said. -he declared during an extraordinary one-hour monologue.

Anti-discrimination campaign group Kick It Out also condemned FIFA's decision.

"We are disappointed that FIFA intends to impose sanctions on European nations who choose to wear the 'One Love' armband, preventing teams from sending a strong statement to the world that diversity and inclusion are part and parcel of the game,” reads his statement.

"This decision continues to underscore FIFA's failure to address the concerns of human rights groups and the LGBTQ+ community in the build-up to this tournament.

"Players and fans should not have borne the brunt of FIFA's mistakes and we will continue to support Gareth Southgate and his team as they seek to explore other ways to support inclusion in football.

"Football should be a game for everyone and Kick It Out continues to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community."

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