The captain of the English Football team, Harry Kane, has announced plans to don a rainbow anti-discrimination armband at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Kane, along with captains from several other nations heading to the World Cup, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Wales, announced their plans following concerns raised about Qatar’s horrific track record on human rights, including its persecution of LGBTQ+ people.
The ‘OneLove’ armband features a heart design with multiple stripes in various colours and was first seen on Friday, the 23rd of September, during a Nations League match against Italy.
Speaking about the campaign, Kane said he was “honoured” to join the growing list of captains supporting the ‘OneLove’ campaign and taking a stand against discrimination.
“As captains, we may all be competing against each other on the pitch, but we stand together against all forms of discrimination,” Kane said.
“This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society,” he continued.
“Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching.”
Despite promises made by FIFA officials who stated that LGBTQ+ fans should simply use “common sense” while attending the World Cup and that “everyone is very welcome,” England’s Football Association (FA) has since requested more detail on assurances given by the local organising committee that all fans – including those from the LGBTQ+ community will indeed be safe and welcome in Qatar.
Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, with courts utilising Sharia law, where men can face the death penalty if they are found to have engaged in same-sex intimacy.
