ENGLAND captain Harry Kane roared into action in Qatar last night — pledging to end 56 years of World Cup hurt.
The striker is aiming to lead the Three Lions to victory in their first group match today against Iran.
And he revealed he is willing to defy any Fifa moves to ban the “One Love” rainbow armband.
Pressure mounted last night as it emerged he could be booked the second the match kicks off if he wears it, or be forced to remove it in the dressing room.
Two successive yellow cards in the first two group games will rule the Spurs goal-scoring ace out of boss Gareth Southgate’s side for the vital third clash with Wales.
The move — backing gay rights and inclusivity — will defy a ban by football’s world governing body Fifa on promoting “political” issues at matches.
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Homosexuality is banned in the Muslim Gulf state and can still carry the death sentence.
FA and Fifa bosses were last night wrangling over the issue as a Three Lions source confided: “We’ve had no clarity from Fifa but there are rumours.”
Irked world football bosses issued an alternative armband to the 32 competing nations on the eve of yesterday’s opening game which saw hosts Qatar lose 2-0 to Ecuador.
Harry, 29, said he was prepared to risk a fine or booking for making the gesture — and vowed to back the team’s core values.
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He said: “We have made it clear as a team and an organisation that we want to wear the armband.
“I know that the FA and Fifa are talking and we will have a decision, but I want to wear it”.
England are the first of eight European teams committed to the policy.
A shadow also potentially hangs over Liverpool’s Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk and Wales skipper Gareth Bale, who also play today.
Fifa declined to make any comment on “speculation”.
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But with the FA insisting Kane will wear the armband, there was support from Germany’s camp.
Their FA president Bernd Neuendorf said yesterday: “We will play with it — and tomorrow England, Wales and the Netherlands will play with it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
