OneLove armband: What is the OneLove armband and why won't it be worn during Qatar 2022?

Competing nations previously planning to wear a ‘One Love’ armband at the World Cup have told their captains not to do so for fear of sporting sanctions, a joint statement has said.

Nine nations, including England's Harry Kane and Gareth Bale of Wales, had planned to wear the rainbow symbol, OneLove, on their kits to promote diversity and inclusion – but will now not do so.

There had been been reports that players could be booked before kick off for wearing the armband on their shirt– with two bookings potentially resulting in a one match ban.

England and Wales and a host of other European nations will not wear an anti-discrimination armband in their World Cup matches after FIFA threatened them with sporting sanctions but Harry Kane had been due to wear the OneLove armband against Iran, while Wales skipper Gareth Bale was due to wear it in the match against the United States.

Harry Kane with the One Love armband.

But now both will not, with legal action now being considered. Here’s everything you need to know.

OneLove armband: What is a OneLove armband? And what do they represent?

England, Wales and other European nations had planned to wear the rainbow armband to promote diversity and inclusion during the World Cup, however this has seen FIFA launch its own armband initiative for the tournament without any rainbow armband, with same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships criminalised in Qatar. The band contains the rainbow colours associated with the Pride flag and had been set to be a strong statement in Qatar due to their stance on same-sex relationships.

European nations will now not wear the armbands after FIFA asked them not to.