Hadja Lahbib, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the Belgium-Canada meeting, Wednesday, November 24, with the boss of Fifa.
SourceAFP
© VIRGINIE LEFOUR / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP
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Lbelgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib, wore the “One Love” armband in the stands, which had been refused to Belgium and other European selections during the victory of the Red Devils against Canada on Wednesday 23 November in Qatar . Hadja Lahbib was present in the grandstand of the al-Rayyan stadium alongside, in particular, the president of Fifa, Gianni Infantino.
“Gianni Infantino explained to me why he made the choice not to allow the Red Devils to wear a ‘One Love’ armband, according to Fifa rules. These rules do not apply in the stands, I took off my jacket and presented my armband, ”she explained to the microphone of RTBF. Under the threat of “sporting sanctions” by Fifa, Belgium and six other European nations present in Qatar – Germany, England, Denmark, the Netherlands, Wales and Switzerland – have renounced their captain wearing this colorful armband symbolizing inclusion and diversity.
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A day of symbolic protests
“I think it was a symbolically strong gesture, that Belgium had to convey the message,” added the minister. “I know that Eden Hazard [le capitaine de la sélection, NDLR] would have liked to wear it on the field”, continued Hadja Lahbib, adding that she arrived in Qatar at the start of the tournament in order to have “frank discussions” with Qatari diplomacy and “to defend human rights”.
Another minister, the German Nancy Faeser, in charge of the Interior and whose portfolio covers Sports, also appeared in the stands with this armband during the match of Germany against Japan, scheduled earlier in the day at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. On the lawn, at the time of the traditional pre-match team photo, the German players ostensibly put their hands in front of their mouths in apparent protest against the decision of Fifa.
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