Rainbow armbands could be BANNED at the Women’s World Cup this summer
Rainbow armbands could be BANNED at this summer’s Women’s World Cup as FIFA tells teams it wants them to wear a standard captain’s armband, after Harry Kane had to ditch the ‘OneLove’ symbol in Qatar last year past.
- FIFA could ban rainbow bracelets at the Women’s World Cup this summer
- Men’s captain Harry Kane forced to drop ‘OneLove’ symbol at Qatar 2022
- The governing body has ruled and wants teams to wear a standard band
FIFA wants teams to wear the standard captain’s armband and could ban the wearing of rainbow armbands at this summer’s Women’s World Cup.
England men’s captain Harry Kane was forced to ditch the ‘OneLove’ symbol, in support of gay rights, at the men’s World Cup in Qatar in winter 2022.
It was different in women’s football, with Lionesses captain Leah Williamson proudly sporting the multi-coloured sash as she guided Sarina Wiegman’s side to victory at the European Championships at Wembley in July.
And FIFA, after UEFA allowed the gesture in that competition, told teams it wants them to wear the usual symbol, and can now ban the use of the rainbow sash in the 2023 tournament in July and August in Australia and New Zealand.
FIFA has said that no decision has yet been made and that discussions with players and countries on the matter are continuing.
FIFA has banned the wearing of rainbow armbands (above) at this summer’s Women’s World Cup
England captain Leah Williamson wore one when she led the Lionesses to Euro Cup glory in 2022
FIFA, led by President Gianni Infantino, has confirmed that it will be banned this summer.
According to the German media imageSoccer’s governing body informed the German Football Association (DFB) of its preference for the standard band on Wednesday, with Germany boss Maika Fischer saying: “FIFA have informed us that they want all participating nations to wear the FIFA captain’s armband with the FIFA campaign”. ‘
The DFB-Frauen has seen 31-year-old captain Alexandra Popp wear the rainbow armband for years. Popp wore it during her run to the Euro 2022 final, where she lost to Williamson’s England.
The DFB asked about making an exception, but FIFA, led by president Gianni Infantino, “immediately rejected it,” Bild says.
If there is a ban, it’s unclear what penalties players may face if they defy it and wear the rainbow bracelet anyway. The German women’s team will continue to wear the rainbow bracelet in matches leading up to the World Cup.
A FIFA spokesperson said: “At a team workshop today (Wednesday), FIFA was asked about the equipment and competition rules in relation to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
FIFA wishes to reiterate that no decision has been made regarding the bracelets. FIFA remains committed to ongoing dialogue with the players and member associations.”
The multicolored band (pictured) is a gesture in support of gay rights.
The head of the national team, Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, concluded: ‘We always carry the rainbow bracelet on our hearts. We are in exchange with other nations to find common solutions on how certain messages can be conveyed.’
Die Mannschaft, the men’s team, had worn a mouth covering in a pre-match photo before a game in Qatar in protest of the FIFA ruling, with German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wearing it as she sat next to Infantino during the match in Doha.