The debate surrounding the captain’s armbands with the message “One Love” is still a hot topic of discussion during the World Cup.
After Fifa announced that the players who use the bandage will be punished with a yellow card, the nations backed away from wearing it.
Now comes the next twist – since Denmark’s team captain Simon Kjaer has lashed out at a reporter.
As you know, there are many controversies surrounding the World Cup in Qatar. The last few days have been characterized by discussions and debates about the captain’s armband that seven nations, including Denmark, announced that they intended to use during the championship. The bandage – which was banned by Fifa in those days – is rainbow colored and has the message “One Love”.
Kjaer’s anger
If a nation were to go against the rule, the team captain risks being awarded a yellow card the second the match kicks off – and here the feelings are divided. Some argue that a yellow card is a narrow thing in the context and that the teams should stand up to Fifa and wear the bandage anyway.
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But Denmark’s centre-back and team captain Simon Kjaer has a slightly different view on the matter, and chooses to look after the sporting side.
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After Tuesday’s meeting with Tunisia, the Dane was asked by a reporter whether he would risk a yellow card after all.
– Do you think so?
– I’m asking you, says the reporter then.
– No, I’m asking you. Do you think I would go in and risk getting a red card after five minutes? And ignore football.
“They must be held accountable”
Simon Kjaer, like so many others, believes that it is Fifa that should be held accountable and not the national teams.
– Absolutely, they are the ones to be held accountable. How can we get to a situation where there is a sporting consequence to an armband that we have played with before? That is where the problem lies, he says.
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– I don’t think there is any doubt about what our and my stance is. What we’ve done, how you’ve covered this. I think we are all on the same page. But we will not compromise with the sporting aspect either. That’s what I do, I play football.
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Kjaer is also asked if the Danes will somehow mark against Fifa.
– I think things happen all the time. But you also saw the press conference here a few days ago. I think we’re on the same page about what we think about it too, says Simon Kjær, referring to