FIFA warned the players would immediately be shown yellow cards if they wore the armbands.
By GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar — FIFA's threat of on-field punishment for players forced World Cup teams to back down Monday and abandon a plan for their captains to wear armbands that were seen as a rebuke to host nation Qatar's human rights record.
The decision came three days after beer sales at stadiums were suddenly banned under pressure from the Qatari government and two days after FIFA president Gianni Infantino delivered an extraordinary tirade defending the host nation's human rights record. "As national federations we can't put our players in a position where they could face sporting sanctions, including bookings," the seven soccer federations said in a joint statement.
Gurchaten Sandhu, of the Geneva-based International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, said that FIFA put"athletes in a very, very awkward" position.Soccer World Cup Viewer's Guide: Qatar loses opener, US up on Day 2 He also took issue with Infantino's defense of Qatar on Saturday, during which he lectured Europeans who have criticized the emirate's human rights record and said he"felt" gay, like a woman and a like a migrant worker.
The soccer body raised the prospect of yellow cards on Sunday during a testy meeting with European soccer federations.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
European World Cup Players Won't Wear 'One Love' Armbands After FIFA ThreatQatar has faced years of criticism regarding its treatment of low-paid migrant workers as well as its criminalization of gay and lesbian sex.
Read more »
Seven European World Cup captains ditch One Love arm band under FIFA pressureThe captains of England, Wales, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark will not wear 'OneLove' armbands after FIFA made it clear they would be booked, the associations said in a joint statement on Monday.
Read more »
World Cup 2022: Teams scrap rainbow-colored armband plan after FIFA threatens 'sporting sanctions'DOHA, Qatar — Seven European teams have scrapped plans to wear rainbow-colored anti-discrimination captains' armbands at the 2022 World Cup after FIFA threatened them with 'sporting sanctions,' the teams said in a joint statement Monday.
Read more »
FIFA Crushes Plan to Show Pro-LGBTQ Message at World CupHours before the armbands were due to be worn in defiance of the local laws, FIFA made an unprecedented threat to issue a yellow card to any captain wearing the symbol.
Read more »
England's World Cup History Before 2022 FIFA TournamentEngland enters the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar looking to capture its second title. Here is a look back at the country’s history in the tournament.
Read more »
World Cup teams ditch plans to wear rainbow armbands after FIFA threats7 World Cup teams have abandoned plans to wear rainbow 'one love' armbands in a show of anti-discrimination after FIFA threatened sporting sanctions — including automatic yellow cards — for doing so.
Read more »