HARRY KANE will wear a special armband in Qatar as England and Wales join a European push for improved human rights at the World Cup.
As part of the “OneLove” campaign, England skipper Kane and his fellow captains from Wales, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland will wear armbands backing the cause.
The logo is a heart filled with the rainbow colours, now identified as a symbol of backing for the LGBTQ cause.
It means support for gay footballers and fans will be carried on the arms of eight teams playing in a country where homosexuality is banned.
Kane, who will wear the armband for the first time in Friday’s Nations League clash in Italy, said: “I am honoured to join my fellow national team captains in supporting the important OneLove campaign.
“As captains we may all be competing against each other on the pitch, but we stand together against all forms of discrimination. This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society.
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“Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching.”
FA chiefs have the backing of Gareth Southgate’s squad to lead a number of other initiatives before, during and after the tournament, which starts on November 20.
The OneLove campaign, organised by the Dutch FA and also backed by Norway and Sweden, is part of a wider FA pledge to demonstrate the values of the organisation and the England team.
Wembley chiefs accept that progress has been made in Qatar since the awarding of the tournament but remain determined to push for more measures.
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Migrant workers will be invited to the Three Lions’ training base in Al Wakrah, on the coast around 20 minutes from the centre of Doha, to engage with Southgate and his players during the tournament.
But the FA will also push for the establishment of a compensation fund for workers injured or killed during the construction of the stadiums and facilities being used at the World Cup.
And Wembley is also backing the concept of a Migrant Workers’ Centre, lobbying FIFA for an urgent update on progress and to ensure promised new labour laws in the country are actually put in practice.
Sun Sport understands that the Qatari authorities are likely to resist the compensation demands but accept the Centre.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said: “We are coming together as a group to wear the OneLove armband until the end of the season as a visible show of support for inclusion in football – something we strongly believe in and have consistently supported.
“Along with the other members of the UEFA Working Group on Human rights, we are pushing FIFA for an update on the concept of a Migrant Workers’ Centre in Qatar, to provide advice and help for migrant workers.
“It is clear that Qatar has brought in progressive legislation in the last few years to give workers rights, so this concept will help this legislation to take effect.
“We have met a variety of workers in Qatar on our visits to the country and whilst they recognise the substantial progress there are areas in which further support would make a huge difference.”
He added: “We continue to push for the principle of compensation for the families of migrant workers who have lost their lives or have been injured in construction projects.
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“Again, we are pushing FIFA for an update on the compensation fund which has been consistently referenced as a safety net where workers and their families have been unable to secure compensation from the construction companies.”
England’s players will also wear black armbands against both Italy and Germany to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
