AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Belgium’s international minister wore a “One Love” armband when she met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino at her nation’s World Cup match towards Canada on Wednesday.
Hadja Lahbib was pictured sporting the colourful armband — thought to be a logo for inclusion and variety — that FIFA has prevented captains of seven European groups, together with Belgium, from sporting on the World Cup in Qatar.
They wished to put on it as a rebuke to host nation Qatar’s human rights report.
Lahbib posted a photo of herself on Twitter sporting the band on her left arm, writing: “My coronary heart goes out to our Purple Devils!”
FIFA warned the seven European federations that gamers could be penalized in the event that they wore the armband.
Germany’s gamers coated their mouths for his or her crew picture earlier than their opening World Cup match, a 2-1 loss to Japan, to protest towards FIFA’s clampdown on the “One Love” armband.
“It was an indication from the crew, from us,” Germany coach Hansi Flick mentioned, “that FIFA is muzzling us.”
German Inside Minister Nancy Faeser, who can also be chargeable for sports activities, additionally wore a “One Love” armband within the stands for her nation’s match, sitting beside Infantino. Faeser posted a photo of herself sporting it with the hashtag #OneLove.
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AP World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
