[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] At the World Cup held in Qatar, where homosexuality is prohibited, European football team captains including Harry Kane are expected to wear rainbow armbands supporting LGBTQ+ individuals during the matches.
The New York Times reported on the 20th (local time) that despite the risk of disciplinary action, European football team captains plan to wear rainbow armbands inscribed with "One Love" during the games.
All captains of England, the Netherlands, and Wales, who will play in the group stage opening matches on the 21st at the Qatar World Cup, are expected to wear rainbow armbands during their games.
An official from the England national team stated, "The England team plans for captain Harry Kane to wear an armband opposing discrimination in the first group stage match."
FIFA met with the European football teams on the 20th and requested that the rainbow armbands be worn at events rather than during matches, but the European teams refused. According to FIFA regulations, violations of uniform rules may result in fines.
Germany and Denmark are also reportedly planning to wear rainbow armbands during their matches. Denmark's Christian Eriksen emphasized, "Wearing the uniform represents the nation," adding, "I don't know what the outcome will be, but we will see."
European countries have consistently raised issues regarding human rights in Qatar ahead of the World Cup opening. Wearing the rainbow armband is also intended to criticize Qatar's human rights issues related to discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino criticized Europe's stance as hypocritical ahead of the World Cup, stating that Europe is not qualified to give moral lectures. He pointed out that considering what Europeans have done worldwide over the past 3,000 years, Europeans should apologize before lecturing for the next 3,000 years.
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