Harry Kane FIFA World Cup threat revealed after OneLove armband U-turn in England

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Harry Kane and six other World Cup captains have reportedly been banned from entering the pitch wearing pro-LGBTQ+ 'OneLove' armbands. Skippers from seven European nations planned to wear the armbands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, which faces jail in Qatar.

England striker Kane planned to wear the armband throughout the World Cup campaign but was warned of 'sporting penalties' on the eve of the Three Lions' opener against Iran. Instead, the 29-year-old was forced to wear a FIFA-sanctioned anti-discrimination armband with a vague message.

It was initially speculated that the sporting penalties would involve a yellow card for Kane, Wales' Gareth Bale or one of the other five captains. But it has now emerged that they would not have been allowed onto the pitch.

Match officials would have stopped Kane from leading England against Iran if he was wearing the 'OneLove' armband. This is the latest crackdown by FIFA and Qatari authorities on rainbow-coloured clothing and accessories worn at the World Cup.

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That's according to the , who reports teams waived wearing the armband after being told they wouldn't be allowed to appear on the pitch. The teams were determined to wear it to show their solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

Qatari law provides for a prison sentence of one to three years for "inciting or seducing a man or woman in any way to commit any unlawful or immoral act". After being told they could not wear the 'OneLove' armband, the German players covered their mouths in their team photo to show they had been silenced while speaking out.

Fans have been denied access to World Cup stadiums while wearing rainbow-coloured clothing or items. Wales fans wearing bucket hats - a longtime accessory for the nation's supporters - have been arrested ahead of their opener against the United States.

This despite the fact that FIFA - alongside the Qatari authorities - insists that people displaying the rainbow or other gender identity flags should not be approached, detained or prosecuted. A TV reporter was asked to remove the 'OneLove' armband while delivering a live piece to the camera.

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