FIFA has confirmed that players at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will not be allowed to wear the One Love armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Instead, teams will be able to choose from eight alternative options designed by FIFA, which highlight a variety of social causes. The decision follows the ban on the One Love armband during the men’s World Cup in Qatar.
The eight FIFA-approved armbands for the Women’s World Cup are: “Unite for Inclusion“, “Unite for Indigenous Peoples“, “Unite for Gender Equality“, “Unite for Peace“, “Unite for Education for All“, “Unite for Zero Hunger“, “Unite for Ending Violence Against Women“, and “Football is Joy, Peace, Love, Hope & Passion“. These themes were chosen after consultation with the 32 participating teams, players, and United Nations agencies.
The One Love armband, which promotes diversity and inclusion, features colours inspired by the Pan African flag and the pansexual flag, symbolising race, heritage, gender identities, and sexual orientation. FIFA has threatened sporting sanctions for any country that defies the rules and wears the One Love armband.
England’s Georgia Stanway has spoken out about the ban, insisting that the Lionesses will “stand by what they believe in” at the Women’s World Cup. FIFA’s alternative “Unite for Inclusion” armbands have been presented to teams as a compromise, but some feel that the governing body has not gone far enough to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The Women’s World Cup is set to begin in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.
