FIFA have told the FA that the 'OneLove' armband that England captain Harry Kane was due to wear will not be permitted during the World Cup, meaning the striker faces possible punishment if he goes against the regulation.
England face Iran on Monday (1pm) in Doha for their World Cup opener as Gareth Southgate's side aim to go all the way to win their second title. The Three Lions are one of nine nations to have pledged to wear the armband with Wales' Gareth Bale also planning to wear the accessory to express support of the LGBTQ+ and other marginalised groups following Qatari laws discriminating against those groups.
Talks took place with the world footballing organisation on Sunday after FIFA announced new armband themes that would be allowed, including #SaveThePlanet, #ProtectChildren, #EducationForAll and #BeActive.
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Following talks, Kane insisted that he is ready to risk being booked by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for wearing the One Love armband tomorrow. "I feel we've made it clear as a team, as a staff and as an organisation that we want to wear the armband. I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment. I'm sure by game time tomorrow they'll have their decision. We've made it clear that we want to wear it."
Gareth Southgate seconded his captain's words, saying: "There's nothing I can add to what Harry has said, I know there are conversations going on, I think a number of European countries have spoken, we've made our position clear, hopefully, everything will be resolved before the game."
There is a concern that, should there be no further clarity, that European nations could have their captains booked as soon as the games kicks off, although that has not been confirmed to the players. So far, FIFA have failed to respond to the FA's request to get approval for the armband and have failed to offer any clarity on the issue to the media.
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