Several European captains plan to wear rainbow armbands despite a threat of discipline.
A group of European nations remains committed to a plan for their captains to wear multicolored armbands emblazoned with the words “One Love” during World Cup matches.
The first armbands are expected to appear during all three scheduled matches on Monday, potentially exposing the players and their teams to discipline from FIFA, soccer’s governing body. According to FIFA’s rules for the tournament, uniform violations could result in a fine.
The armbands were designed to show support for minority groups amid ongoing concerns about Qatar’s treatment of the L.G.B.T.Q. community, where homosexuality is a crime.
The teams’ plans to wear them in games are in defiance of FIFA’s strict regulations on team uniforms, and talks aimed at reaching a resolution, or a compromise, have been unsuccessful. Three European teams planning to wear armbands on Monday: England, wales and Netherlands.
FIFA has been urging the teams to adhere to its uniform rules but there is little sign an agreement will happen. An official from England’s delegation familiar with the behind-the-scenes talks said the country remained committed for the captain Harry Kane to wear the anti-discrimination armband when his team plays Iran on Monday.
A meeting on Sunday between the European teams and FIFA was contentious, with FIFA asking teams to wear armbands it has created for the event instead. The Europeans teams have refused.