Teams will not wear LGBT armbands at the World Cup; they fear sanctions

Following FIFA’s threat to reprimand the players, seven teams participating in the World Cup resigned on Monday to wear the bracelets of an anti-discrimination campaign that points against hosts Qatar.

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These captains of the seven European teams will not wear the bracelets that support the campaign “One Love” in tournament matches after FIFA threatened the players would receive yellow cards.

The decision was made shortly after the banned the sale of beer in stadiums due to pressure from the Qatari government and that FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a passionate defense of the host country’s human rights record.

“As national federations we cannot put our players in a position in which they may face sporting sanctions, including cards,” the seven soccer federations said in a joint statement on Monday.

Apparently, the decision was made hours before the English Harry Kane, the Dutchman Virgil van Dijk and the Welshman Gareth Bale wear the “One Love” bracelets at Monday meetings. Captains of Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark will wear the bracelets in the coming days.

“Our number one priority at the World Cup is to win the games.s,” the Dutch soccer federation said in a separate statement. “So you don’t want the captain to start the game with a yellow card.”

Since Qatar won the tournament host in 2010, it has been repeatedly criticized for its treatment of immigrant workers — with low wages and dangerous conditions — and laws criminalizing same-sex relationships.

FIFA raised on Sunday the possibility of showing yellow cards during a tense meeting with the seven European federations, including the seven teams that had pledged to wear the armbands.

The “One Love” campaign started in the Netherlands. Its symbol is a multicolored heart, and aims to promote inclusion and diversity in football and in society.