Faced with the desire of several teams that will compete in the 2022 World Cup to wear colored captain’s armbands in favor of the inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community, Fifa reacted this Saturday (19) and launched its own armbands with mobilization messages.
“The most popular sport in the world can also contribute to changing our societies for the better by transmitting positive messages,” the organization wrote in a statement.
The accessories feature various mottos such as “let’s save the planet”, “education for all” and “no discrimination”.
“The participating teams can spread the messages delivered by FIFA through the armbands of the captains”, choosing the desired motto, explains the statement.
In the note, Fifa does not comment on the colored armbands of the One Love initiative, in defense of the LGBTQIA+ community. Football authorities have historically opposed political messages in stadiums.
The football entity did not comment on the possibility of sanctions for captains who use the campaign accessory.
Manuel Neuer, world champion with Germany in 2014, has made it clear he will wear the One Love armband, and his federation has said it is willing to accept any fine.
“Our captain (Simon Kjaer) will wear the One Love armband. I don’t know what the consequences would be, we’ll see,” said Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Since it was chosen to host the World Cup in 2010, Qatar has been the target of strong criticism, which intensified as the start of the event approached, in particular regarding human rights, including those of LGBTQIA+ people.
Homosexuality and sexual relations outside of marriage are punishable in the country.
In addition, Qatar was involved in a new controversy on Friday (18), when it prohibited the sale of beer in the stadiums of the World Cup. Budweiser, one of the sponsors of the event, was surprised.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said earlier this month that choosing the Arab country to host the event was a mistake.
Also on Saturday, Hassan Al Thawadi, head of the Supreme Committee for the Delivery and Legacy of the World Cup, said that criticism of Qatar as host of the World Cup was based on racist views of the country.
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