TV screen at World Cup fan area in Qatar ‘mysteriously cut out’ when England players took the knee
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Huge TV screen in Qatar World Cup fan area ‘mysteriously TURNED OFF’ as England players took knee after being warned about wearing rainbow armband against Iran
Fans are baffled after a large TV screen in a designated World Cup fan area in Qatar was reportedly left blank as England went down on the knee in their match against Iran just before kick-off.
It is believed the screen went black for between 10 and 15 seconds as Three Lions players took part in the forceful gesture ahead of their 6-2 win at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday night.
Gareth Southgate’s side reintroduced taking the knee before kick-off after failing to do so in several recent matches.
The feed was reportedly cut at the FIFA Fan Festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha – the central hub for supporters of the tournament – according to The sun.
It remains unclear whether it was a deliberate decision or a technical error.
England’s Declan Rice (left) and Jude Bellingham get down on one knee for their big win over Iran at the World Cup
Three Lions skipper Harry Kane reversed his decision to wear a ‘OneLove’ armband after pressure from FIFA
In further dramatic scenes as England took the knee, Iranian players refused to sing their own national anthem.
In recent months, anti-regime and women’s rights protests have been held across Iran, with thousands arrested and hundreds killed in a massive challenge to the country’s clerical leaders.
The questionable ‘technical foul’ at the supporters hub in Doha also follows an England FA backflip, which captain Harry Kane banned wearing a ‘OneLove’ bracelet.
The bracelets are designed to promote inclusion and LGBTQ+ rights, with homosexuality being a criminal offense in the Gulf nation.
England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark all planned to wear the armbands, but then collectively dropped the gesture after FIFA warned players could be suspended because the armband was not officially approved.
Despite FIFA’s warning, England still chose to take the knee in an attempt to make a strong statement as the world watched.
“We think we should do that. It’s what we stand for as a team and we have for a long time,” said manager Gareth Southgate.
‘We think it’s a strong statement to go around the world to show young people in particular that inclusiveness is very important.’
England will next play the USA on November 26 before their final group game against Wales on November 30.