Fifa wins dispute over captain’s armband

Contrary to what has been announced, European teams, including Switzerland, Germany, England and France, will not wear a special captain’s armband at the World Cup in Qatar.

A power struggle ignited over a small piece of fabric.

Robin Rudel / Imago

It’s just a small piece of fabric, only 10 centimeters high, that has been stirring up spirits at the World Cup in Qatar. Various European countries had announced that their captains would wear a armband with the inscription “One Love” during the World Cup.

The initiative came from the Netherlands, but Switzerland, England, Germany and France also joined the campaign. The countries wanted the captain’s armband to be understood as a signal against homophobia, racism and anti-Semitism and for human rights. It was actually a harmless action.

But this small piece of fabric triggered a power struggle between the associations involved and Fifa. The World Football Association wanted to prevent the bandage and threatened the teams with sanctions. It is not known exactly what these would have looked like. However, various associations feared that their captains would be warned as soon as they entered the field with the armband. After two yellow cards, the player concerned will be suspended for a World Cup game.

“We cannot put our players in a situation where they have to face sporting sanctions.”

These fears were the reason that Fifa won the power struggle. In a joint statement on Monday morning, the associations announced that the “One Love” captain’s armbands would be dispensed with.

Adrian Arnold, the media spokesman for the Swiss association, says: “We cannot put our players in a situation where they have to face sporting sanctions, including dismissals.” It is unfortunate that the pads are not allowed. “After all, we wanted to spread a positive message,” says Arnold. However, Fifa’s decision does not change the value compass of the Swiss national team. “We will take the message outside on another occasion.”

more to come. . .


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