First, team captain armbands with the words “One Love” written on them were banned. Now the International Football Association Fifa is putting its foot down again.
According to Belgium, their second kit – white and slightly rainbow colored, with the word “Love” visible on the neck – has been stopped.
The jerseys were meant to signal inclusivity ahead of the championship in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal. But now you have to change the shirt.
— The word “Love” must disappear. It’s sad, but Fifa doesn’t give us any other choice, says confederation chairman Peter Bossaert according to Nieuwsblad.
Belgium had planned to use the shirt first in a possible play-off as the home ground is used in the group stage.
The national team was one of seven that intended to wear the “One Love” armbands before Fifa announced that players with the armband would be punished with a yellow card before kick-off.
— We have no choice there because the punishment was disproportionate. We can’t risk Eden Hazard (the team captain) getting a yellow card before the game starts. We were prepared to pay a fine, says Peter Bossaert.
For Belgium, Canada awaits in the teams’ opening game in Group F on Wednesday.