European nations set to defy FIFA over armbands

By Sports Desk November 19, 2022

Captains of several leading European nations are set to defy FIFA and wear OneLove armbands at the World Cup.

The OneLove campaign which promotes "inclusion and sends a message against discrimination of any kind" has grown in significance in the build-up to the tournament in Qatar, a country in which homosexuality is illegal.

FIFA attempted to shift the narrative on Saturday - a day before the opening game between the hosts and Ecuador - by launching a collection of armbands across a range of social issues with a different subject for each stage, including 'Save the Planet' and 'Bring the Moves'.

However, the football director of the Danish Football Union Peter Moller said Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer will continue to support OneLove and claimed to have the backing of several UEFA teams.

He said: "The plan is to go on the pitch with the rainbow captain's armband.  

"The intention has always been to play with the armband that we did against Croatia and France in the Nations League. We want to play with that armband."

Moller accepted that could result in the DBU being sanctioned by FIFA, but was happy to stand by the decision, adding: "Will we get a penalty for it? I have no idea.

"We may be wiser when some of the other countries have played before us.

"Through dialogue with other federations - including England, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands - we have chosen to go in this direction."

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff says Germany have "expressed a clear position on these issues". 

He added: "We will certainly co-ordinate with the other nations again, because it is also important that there is not only one voice from Germany, but also the voices of several countries from Europe.

"And we assume that we can continue to wear the armband."

Asked why FIFA insisted on introducing their own set of armbands, president Gianni Infantino said: "We have clear regulations on armbands.

"We have engaged in campaigns on different topics, campaigns which are universal. We need to find topics that everyone can adhere to. This is an important element for us."

Related items

  • Kompany: Too early for top spot to mean anything to Bayern Kompany: Too early for top spot to mean anything to Bayern

    Bayern Munich went top of the Bundesliga with a 6-1 demolition of Holstein Kiel on Saturday, but it means little to Vincent Kompany as they look to reclaim their dominance in the domestic league.

    Bayern's stranglehold of the German top-flight was broken last season with Bayer Leverkusen winning the title in a record-breaking undefeated run, and the Bavarians are eager to restore order this season.

    Bayern are on a maximum nine points with three wins, two ahead of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, after Harry Kane scored a hat-trick in their win at Kiel.

    They enjoyed an explosive opening to the match, netting three times in the first 13 minutes as Kiel made a nightmare start peppered with defensive errors, en route to a fourth straight win in all competitions this season under Kompany.

    "I have said that this is just three games. I know, I know, for Bayern it is always important [to be in top spot] but it is three games at the moment," Kompany told a press conference.

    "Today it was good and then Tuesday must be good again and then again, and that's the way it goes again.

    "If we continue as we do now, maybe at the end of the season... I don't even want to say it. We just have to keep going."

  • Motta laments wasteful Juventus attack after stalemate Motta laments wasteful Juventus attack after stalemate

    Thiago Motta was not happy with Juventus' attacking efforts in Saturday's 0-0 Serie A draw versus Empoli, who defended valiantly to keep their goal intact.

    Juve struggled against the well-organised hosts, managing just three shots on target out of their 15 efforts, creating just 0.89 expected goals (xG) in the contest.

    It follows another stalemate with Roma just before the international break, in which Juventus managed to test the goalkeeper just once.

    "We barely got to the point of making the cross we wanted to make," Motta told a press conference.

    "It's one thing to do it from behind and another to get to a dangerous area to do it. It's not easy with a team that defends like Empoli, we had difficulties.

    "[But] not only Dusan [Vlahovic] has to fill the penalty area ... We definitely have to improve on the sides and get to feed our attacker and those who come from behind."

    Juventus' misfiring attack was not the only worry for the head coach, who made four changes to his midfield in the 67th minute.

    Motta took off Manuel Locatelli, Nicolas Gonzalez, Douglas Luiz and Kenan Yildiz, introducing Khephren Thuram, Timothy Weah and Nicolo Fagioli, as well as striker Samuel Mbangula.

    "They are great players and already in training with little time [they have had], they are able to understand what I want and how they should behave," Motta added.

    "The four came in to give freshness. We didn't change anything on the tactical side, but we preferred to give continuity. Surely these players together on the pitch will grow, especially as a team."

    Juve return to Champions League action after a season's absence on Tuesday, hosting PSV in the league phase of the revamped 2024-25 edition of the competition.

    "Every game is different, the first two we faced [the way we wanted]. Today was a different game [to what it] will be on Tuesday, against a team that plays good soccer and attacks," Motta said.

    "We have to be good at controlling the game, without allowing them to feel comfortable, because when they have the ball they always attack with many players."

  • Inter Miami 3-1 Philadelphia Union: Messi stars with brace on injury return Inter Miami 3-1 Philadelphia Union: Messi stars with brace on injury return

    Lionel Messi led Inter Miami's comeback, getting a brace and an assist on his return from injury in a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union.

    The Argentine had been out with an ankle injury he sustained in the Copa America final, but he slotted straight back into the line-up after an eight-match absence.

    Philadelphia made a dream start against the Eastern Conference leaders, with Mikael Uhre latching onto a loose clearance from Tomas Aviles before coolly slotting in from the edge of the D after just 58 seconds.

    Messi got his first goal in the 26th minute, with Luis Suarez cushioning the ball to him before he rounded the defender to level the score.

    He then gave Miami the lead just four minutes later – Alba, in acres of space down the left, squared it to Messi for a first-time finish through Jack Elliott's legs.

    Suarez thought he had scored a third just after the break with a lovely bending effort into the near post, only to be denied by a tight offside in the build-up.

    But he would get his goal in the 98th minute, with Messi unselfishly setting him up instead of going for a hat-trick, and the Uruguayan swept it into the back of the net.

    Miami now have a 10-point lead over FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia sit in 11th place.

    Data Debrief: Back with a bang

    Miami have not exactly been missing Messi during his injury absence, with Suarez, who netted his 17th goal of the season this game, picking up the goalscoring mantle in the meantime, but it was a welcome return nonetheless. 

    The 37-year-old became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 15 goals and 15 assists, doing so in 19 games. Sebastian Giovinco previously held the record (29 matches).

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.