FIFA bans Belgium from wearing ‘Love’ shirts at the World Cup

by

Belgium, which had already seen how FIFA prevented it from wearing the “One Love” armband in support of the LGBTQIA+ community during the World Cup, will also not be able to wear its second set of shirts, on which the word “Love” (” Amor” in English) is entered, the Royal Belgian Football Federation said on Monday (21).

This shirt, mostly white, but with parts in the different colors of the rainbow, has the word “Love” on the collar and this mention, according to the Belgian Federation, would cause problems for FIFA. It would be enough to remove that word for the piece to be validated by the organization.

“The design of the shirt was inspired by the famous fireworks of Tomorrowland (music festival) and represents the common values ​​of diversity, equality and inclusion”, had specified the federation when presenting the shirt last September.

That ban would not affect Belgium, at least in the group stage, as they planned to wear their first kit, red, for all three matches.

The seven European teams that had planned to wear the “One Love” captain’s armband against discrimination at the Qatar World Cup resigned on Monday under threat of sporting sanctions.

“FIFA has been very clear. It will impose sporting sanctions if our captains wear the armbands on the pitch. As National Federations, we cannot ask our players to risk sporting sanctions, including yellow cards,” wrote those seven associations.

“Belgian players and coaches are strong advocates of inclusion and will continue to show their support in other ways,” reacted the federation, indicating that it will take “a critical look at its relations with FIFA” from now on.

You May Also Like

Recommended for you