FIFA bans One Love armband for Women’s World Cup and gives eight ‘Unite for Inclusion’ options

Teams participating in the Women’s World Cup are not allowed to wear the ‘One Love’ armband, but may use an alternative version designed by FIFA.

The governing body banned Harry Kane and nine other captains from displaying the symbol, which promotes diversity and inclusion, in Qatar and threatened sports sanctions for any country that defied the rules.

After months of discussions with players, FIFA has designed eight different armbands that highlight different social causes and captains can choose which option they want to wear in Australia and New Zealand.

FIFA’s version of the ‘One Love’ bracelet – ‘Unite For Inclusion’ – has exactly the same colors in the same order and stands for ‘inclusion everywhere regardless of sexual orientation, race, colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, physical ability, language, religion, political opinion or other opinion, wealth, birth or other status, or any reason whatsoever.”

The red, black and green colors on the logo are inspired by the Pan-African flag and symbolize race, heritage and all gender identities, while the pink, yellow and blue representing sexual orientation is based on the pansexual flag.

The One Love bracelet has been blocked by FIFA in the run-up to the Women’s World Cup this summer

Some of the other social causes that have been put forward include indigenous peoples, gender equality, and peace.

The eight different messages will be used in the eight rounds of play – starting with the group stage and ending with the final. Players can wear a different armband for each match or choose one to use throughout the tournament.

But players don’t have to wear one of the specific eight armbands and can choose a neutral option from ‘Football Unites the World’ instead.

An FA spokesman said: “We know FIFA is working with federations and players from around the world on the armbands that will be worn at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The next step is for our players to decide which of the options they want to wear.’

It is clear that a decision will not be made immediately.

Players are not allowed to wear the rainbow bracelet that Leah Williamson wore during the European Championship last summer.

Millie Bright will captain England at this summer’s World Cup, while Williamson is out with an injury. But the regular skipper had indicated earlier this year that she wanted to wear the rainbow or “One Love” option.

We are never shy about saying what we stand for. We are a team that promotes inclusion and equality, we obviously have some people who have strong views on that,” Williamson said in February.

“You hope it’s not a last minute call once we get there, it’s something we want to do all year round.”

‘We’ve done it before, I think the statement that was made last summer at the European Championship with all participating teams [wearing a rainbow armband]I think that was incredible.

“Every photo we had with the trophy lift, there’s a rainbow bracelet in it. I think it’s a great stage, a great time to promote those values ​​that we believe in so much, so I hope it’s the same [at the World Cup].’

Georgia Stanway said before announcement England ‘will face exactly the same’

Leah Williamson, now injured, said she wanted to wear the One Love or rainbow bracelet

Ahead of the FIFA announcement and ahead of England’s warm-up match with Portugal on Saturday, Georgia Stanway said the Lionesses will stick to what they believe in.

“Regardless of the outcome, whether it goes our way or not, we know we’re still facing exactly the same thing,” Stanway said.

“If we can or can’t wear the bracelet, we know that’s what we wanted to do and we hold on to the fact that we wanted to. Whatever the outcome, we will still stick to what we believed in and whatever we wanted as a solution.

“I feel like we’re in a place now where everyone can have their own individual opinion and we can fight for what we believe in. Sarina is behind us 100 percent, whatever we want to do, she supports us. We make the final decision and Sarina goes with us.’

The full eight bracelet options are:

· Unite for Inclusion – in partnership with UN Human Rights

· Unite for Indigenous Peoples – in partnership with UN Human Rights

· Unite for Gender Equality – in collaboration with UN Women

· Unite for Peace – in partnership with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency

Unite for Education for All – in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Unite for Zero Hunger – in partnership with the UN’s World Food Programme

· Unite to end violence against women – in partnership with UN Women

Football is joy, peace, love, hope and passion – in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO)