Qatar World Cup: ‘Rainbow armband’ set to tear FIFA and European countries apart

Several leading European nations are set to defy FIFA and have their Captains wear Rainbow armbands at the World Cup.

The Rainbow armbands which is the focus of ‘OneLove’ campaign promotes “inclusion and sends a message against discrimination of any kind”- a strong indications for the support to homosexuality .

Qatar has not hidden its total abhorrent to homosexuality despite the campaign by the ‘Western hemisphere’.

However, FIFA had launched a collection of armbands across a range of social and phenomenal issues with a different subject for each stage, including ‘Save the Planet’ and ‘Bring the Moves’.

Meanwhile, the football director of the Danish Football Union Peter Moller said Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer will continue to support OneLove and claimed to have the backing of several UEFA teams.

“The plan is to go on the pitch with the rainbow captain’s armband.The intention has always been to play with the armband that we did against Croatia and France in the Nations League. We want to play with that armband.”

Still, Moller can’t confirm whether such action will attract some sort of punishment from FIFA, saying “Will we get a penalty for it? I have no idea.

“We may be wiser when some of the other countries have played before us.Through dialogue with other federations – including England, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands – we have chosen to go in this direction.” He added.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff says Germany have “expressed a clear position on these issues”.

He added: “We will certainly co-ordinate with the other nations again, because it is also important that there is not only one voice from Germany, but also the voices of several countries from Europe.And we assume that we can continue to wear the armband.”

President Gianni Infantino has however noted clearly that FIFA has introduced its armbands because of its regulations. “We have clear regulations on armbands” he said.

“We have engaged in campaigns on different topics, campaigns which are universal. We need to find topics that everyone can adhere to. This is an important element for us.” Infantino said.

Rule 4.3 of Fifa’s equipment regulations states: “No item (of playing kit or other clothing or equipment or otherwise) may be worn or used in any controlled area if Fifa considers that it is dangerous, offensive or indecent, includes political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images, or otherwise does not comply in full with the laws of the game.”

While Captains like Harry Kane of England and Gareth Bale of Wales are also bent on putting it on, many wait until the competition proper kicks off to know where the countries will be tilting.