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Harry Kane at centre of staggering ban ahead of World Cup opener

England captain Harry Kane (pictured right) handing over the armband to Harry McGuire (pictured left).
England captain Harry Kane (pictured right) remains in the dark on whether he can wear the 'One Love' armband at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar without sanctions. (Getty Images)

Harry Kane and other participating captains have reportedly been told the 'One Love' armband will be banned at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar only a day out from England's opening match.

Tottenham Spurs and England star Kane was prepared to wear a 'One Love' armband to support LGBTIQ+ rights at the FIFA World Cup amidst the controversy surrounding Qatar's human rights record.

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Homosexuality is illegal in the conservative Muslim country and according to the Human Dignity Trust the act is punishable by death in the Gulf nation.

The One Love sentiment was backed up by other players such as Netherlands captain Virgil Van Dijk and German captain Manuel Neur.

Other nations expected to join are Belgium, France, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales.

And Kane said England had already made their views clear.

"I thought we made it clear as a team, the staff and the organisation that we want to wear the armband. I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment," he said.

Denmark star Cristian Eriksen also confirmed his captain Simon Kjaer would be wearing the rainbow coloured armband.

“We as a country are wearing it, our captain will be wearing the OneLove armband,” Eriksen said about the peaceful protest.

“What the consequences will be I don’t know, but we’ll see.”

England captain Harry Kane wearing the One Love armband.
England captain Harry Kane wearing the One Love armband. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

However, in a dramatic last moment move, FIFA has told captains they won't be able to wear the armband during the game, according to The UK Telegraph.

If a player does appear with the armband, referees could be forced to issue a yellow card immediately after the whistle.

This has sparked a row between football organisations and FIFA on the eve of games.

England coach Gareth Southgate said everyone would have to wait and see about the outcome.

"There's nothing I can add to what Harry said. I know there are conversations going on, I think a number of European countries have spoken," Southgate added.

"We have made our position clear."

Many following the development called for Kane to still wear the armband, regardless of the sanction.

While teams remain in the dark over the possible sanctions, England did confirm they will take a knee before their opening match.

England to kneel before whistle at FIFA World Cup

England have knelt before games since 2020, initially in solidarity with protests over George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer and then in support of equality.

The gesture is no longer a feature before kickoffs in the Premier League, where it is selectively used, but Southgate believes it is important his team continue it at the World Cup.

"It's what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time," he told reporters on Sunday.

"We feel this is the biggest (stage) and we think it's a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important."

with Reuters

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