FIFA Shows No Love For 'OneLove' Campaign, Threatens 'Sporting Sanctions'

November 22 - European teams reacted with disappointment and dismay after being forced by FIFA to abandon plans to wear "OneLove" armbands at the World Cup in support of LGBTQ rights.

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The move was scrapped after FIFA, which didn't respond to the idea until the very last minute, warned that players would face 'sporting penalties' if they breached rules. strict rules about what kind of gear they were allowed to wear.

These do not stipulate any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images and state that the captain of each team "must wear the captain's armband provided by FIFA".

However, this is not the first time that after insisting during the preparations for the World Cup that it was an inclusive organization, FIFA has seriously let down the team by sticking strictly to "protocol" and cynically waiting until the day before the tournament to flex their muscles.

When FIFA finally responded, it was "very clear that it would impose sporting sanctions if our captains wore the armbands on the pitch," the European nations said in a statement.

"We were prepared to pay the fines that would normally apply to breaches of kit regulations and we were firmly committed to wearing the armband. However, as National Federations we cannot put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions, including bookings.

"We are very frustrated with FIFA's decision which we believe is unprecedented: we wrote to FIFA in September informing them of our wish to wear the OneLove armband to actively support inclusion in football, and we have had no response. Our players and coaches are disappointed; they are strong believers in inclusion and will show their support in other ways."

The armbands were seen as an important statement of solidarity with the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups in Qatar. They were intended to 'actively support inclusion in football', European teams said.

"You don't want the captain to start the game with a yellow card. That's why it is with heavy hearts that we, as a UEFA working group... and as a team , we had to decide to abandon our plan,” the Dutch federation (KNVB) said, adding that FIFA had made it clear just hours before kick-off in their opener against Senegal on Monday, the captain Virgil van Dijk would receive a yellow card if he walked onto the pitch wearing the armband as expected.

The KNVB said it was "deeply disappointed" with FIFA's stance and would not let it go unnoticed. “It is completely contrary to the spirit of our sport, which brings together millions of people. Together with the other countries concerned, we will critically examine our relationship with FIFA.”

The armband was designed to convey a message 'against all forms of discrimination', the Dutch FA said. While not aimed solely at the rights of the LGBTQ community, the armband is of particular significance in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by jail.

Danish manager Kasper Hjulmand said he saw no reason for the sanctions.

“It's not something made up for this occasion. It's something we've done before,” Hjulmand said. “I don't see the problem to be honest. is also a big question mark."

FIFPRO, the global players' union, called FIFA's decision "disappointing".

"Players must have the right to express their support for human rights on and off the playing field and we will support all of them who use their own platforms to do so," said the syndicate. "We maintain that a rainbow flag is not a political statement but an endorsement of equality and therefore a universal human right."

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