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      Fifa and Qatar ‘at war over rainbow symbols’ as football chiefs ‘demand World Cup hosts end crackdown over LGBT emblems’

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      QATAR has been ordered by Fifa to stop forcing fans to remove their rainbow hats when they enter stadiumsSecurity guards ahead Wales 1-1 draw with the USA cracked down on fans wearing pro-LGBTQ+ clothing at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
      Ex-Wales international Laura McAllister was targeted by security over her bucket hatCredit: ITV
      Qatari officials reportedly tried to remove the rainbow hatsCredit: The Rainbow Wall
      Fans reported being forced to remove rainbow-coloured bucket hats, rainbow wristbands and even rainbow laces.
      And one man even reported he was refused entry to the stadium because he was wearing a t-shirt sporing a rainbow.
      Qatar and Fifa are now at war over the crackdown – with the football bosses ordering Doha to stop taking action against fans, reports inews.
      Crunch meetings have taken place in which Fifa is said to have made its stance clear that “everyone is welcome” at the World Cup.
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      Football chiefs told the Qatari officials that security guards should not take rainbow items off fans at venues.
      LGBTQ+ rights have been at the centre of controversies around the World Cup – with same-sex relationships punishable by death in Qatar.
      Welsh fan group The Rainbow Wall reported only women were targeted and forced to remove their rainbow clobber.
      And this included former Wales international football star Laura McAllister.
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      “I certainly wasn’t going to give it up,” she told BBC Breakfast, saying her treatment was “heavy handed”.
      “It’s an important symbol of everything that we’re about in Welsh football at the moment and hopefully the wider nation.”
      It came just hours after confusion over the “One Love” armband planned to be worn by England skipper Harry Kane and other captains at the World Cup.
      Fifa issued a ban and warned teams they could be issued yellow cards before kick off if they insisted on making the gesture.
      US journalist Grant Wahl said he was detained by security staff after he wore a rainbow shirt to the game.
      He claims a security guard told him the shirt was not allowed and “forcibly ripped” his phone from his hand.
      The reporter said he was held for 25 minutes and told to remove his “political shirt”.
      Wahl said eventually a security commander approached him and apologised – letting him through into the game.
      DEATH OR JAIL
      “But the entire episode left me wondering: What’s it like for ordinary Qataris who might wear a rainbow shirt when the world isn’t watching here? What’s that like?,” he said.
      In Qatar, same-sex conduct is punishable by up to seven years in jail as it remains an offence under the Penal Code.
      According to Article 296, “leading, instigating or seducing a male in any way to commit sodomy or dissipation” and “inducing or seducing a male or a female in any way to commit illegal or immoral actions”
      Radha Stirling, founder and director of the Detained in Dubai legal aid group, previously told The Sun Online: “Sex outside marriage is illegal in Qatar so couples who book hotel rooms together are already in violation of the law, simply ‘hoping’ the law won’t be enforced.  
      “Homosexuality is unlawful and those who share a hotel room could be equally at risk.  
      “Visiting a destination and ‘hoping’ that illegal acts are not prosecuted puts visitors in a dangerous situation.  
      “Qatar’s abysmal human rights record means that abiding by the law does not protect visitors from prosecution or wrongful detention.
      “Qatar should have been required to update laws to accommodate the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected this year.”
      England were told not to wear the One Love armband in QatarCredit: Alamy More

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      Holland manager Louis van Gaal slams Fifa over OneLove armband snub after threats of yellow cards to captains

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      LOUIS VAN GAAL has attacked Fifa for threatening to book players for wearing the OneLove armband.A number of captains at the World Cup wanted to wear the anti-discrimination symbol including England captain Harry Kane and Holland’s Virgil van Dijk.
      This is Louis van Gaal’s third spell in charge of the national sideCredit: Getty
      But the threat of disciplinary action saw them back down which Van Gaal clearly believes was wrong by football’s world governing body.
      Van Gaal said: “I no longer want to answer political questions, this is time to talk only about football but one thing is clear we are not going to wear an armband if you are going to get a yellow card and we need to question if this is a correct act on behalf of Fifa.
      “You can answer that question.
      “We cannot have Virgil van Dijk on a yellow card. We are here to be world champions, that’s our purpose. All of us need to ask if this is a proper action on behalf of Fifa. That is crystal clear.”
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      Van Gaal was speaking after Holland’s 2-0 win over Senegal courtesy of late goals from Cody Gakpo and substitute Davy Klaassen.
      On the eve of the game he had said he would no longer be drawn on political questions and had instructed his players not to be either.
      Back in March he had slammed the decision for Qatar to be awarded this World Cup.
      He said: “It’s ridiculous that the World Cup is there. Fifa says they want to develop football there. That’s bulls**t. It’s about money, about commercial interests.”
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      Defeat to the Dutch means that Senegal will have to launch a rescue mission if they are to make it beyond the group stages.
      Ecuador and Qatar come next in the African team’s schedule.
      They will be hoping to have Cheikhou Kouyate back in the team after the midfielder sustained an unfortunate and painful injury. More

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      Belgium forced to change away kit for World Cup after Fifa demand one word is removed from their shirt

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      BELGIUM have been forced to change their World Cup kit after Fifa demanded that the word “love” be removed.The Red Devils’ away shirt was based on the Tomorrowland festival’s fireworks show and is supposed to symbolise the shared values ​​of diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
      Belgium will have to remove the word “love” from their away shirtCredit: store.tomorrowland.com
      Captain Eden Hazard will also not be able to wear the One Love armbandCredit: Rex
      It was developed by both Adidas and the Royal Belgian Football Association for the World Cup.
      It also has the word “love” written on the back underneath the players’ squad number.
      However, it now needs to be removed as confirmed by the RBFA.
      A statement from CEO Peter Bossaert read: “The word love must disappear.
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      “It’s sad, but Fifa leaves us no choice. The rest of the equipment remains unchanged.”
      Due to the necessary change, the Red Devils will now wear their red kit for the three group-stage games.
      Roberto Martinez’s side will be facing Canada, Morroco and Croatia in Group F.
      Captain Eden Hazard, like England’s skipper Harry Kane, has also been stopped from wearing the One Love armband.
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      Bossaert added: “Eden will indeed not play with the One Love band.
      “We have no choice, because the penalties are disproportionate. We can’t risk Eden getting a yellow card before the game starts.
      “We were prepared to pay high fines – and we also indicated this in our conversations with Fifa – but there was simply no consultation possible.
      “That means that we cannot continue our action.” More

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      England fans allowed in to Iran clash for FREE at World Cup after Fifa ticket app goes down moments before kick-off

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      ENGLAND fans were reportedly allowed in for FREE to watch the 6-1 thrashing of Iran after a Fifa ticketing app error. Supporters faced a nightmare getting in after the app CRASHED this morning, which left rows of seats empty at the start of the match.
      There were plenty of empty seats at the start at the Khalifa International StadiumCredit: AFP
      England fans celebrate in the Khalifa International StadiumCredit: PA
      Many supporters were seeing this message

      Many fans claim that their e-tickets DISAPPEARED from their phones.
      It caused several to miss the kick-off but eventually they filtered through and filled up the Khalifa International Stadium.
      Amid the chaos, fans were allowed in without even having a ticket, with no checks taking place.
      One supporter told The Mirror: “They have just let everyone through.
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      “There was a f*** up with the app and many people were stopped but they have now just opened the gates.”
      Fans who were delayed getting into the stadium were helped by the fact there was a massive delay in the play.
      Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand had a horror clash with defender Majid Hosseini, leaving him with a brutal nose bleed.
      It took around ten minutes before Beiranvand eventually got back to his feet and was able to restart play with a goal kick.
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      But he was clearly dazed after possibly suffering a concussion and signalled to come off before laying on the pitch.
      No2 Hossein Hosseini had been warming up and replaced Beiranvand after a lengthy amount of stoppage time that saw 14 MINUTES added on to the end of the first half.
      By then, England were already in cruise control after going 3-0 up, with teenage sensation Jude Bellingham opening the scoring.
      Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling then added to the scoring leaving Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions home and hosed by the break.
      And Saka, on a revenge mission after missing a penalty in last year’s Euros final, doubled his lead just after the hour mark.
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      Striker Mehdi Taremi did pull one back for Iran on 65 minutes, proving nothing more than a consolation, as Marcus Rashford soon made it 5-1.
      Jack Grealish then capped things off after converting from an unselfish pass from Callum Wilson as Taremi’s penalty ended the game 6-2.
      Bukayo Saka celebrates with England captain Harry KaneCredit: Getty More

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      England’s Harry Kane vows to end 56 yrs of World Cup hurt as Three Lions roar into action against Iran in Qatar

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      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.
      Harry Kane is aiming to lead England to victory in their first group match today against IranCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The striker and captain revealed he is willing to defy any Fifa moves to ban the ‘One Love’ rainbow armband he will wearCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The World Cup began yesterday with a spectacular opening ceremonyCredit: Getty
      Two yellow cards in the first two group games will rule the Kane out of boss Gareth Southgate’s (pictured) side for the vital third clash with WalesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      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.
      READ MORE ON WORLD CUP
      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.
      Most read in The Sun
      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”.
      Read More on The Sun
      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.”
      Kane, 29, added: ‘We have made it clear as a team and an organisation that we want to wear the armband’Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Defiant Eric Dier backs England captain Harry Kane in wearing OneLove armband after FIFA attempt to ban pro-LGBT gesture

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      ERIC DIER says England are united behind skipper Harry Kane as he prepares to take on Fifa in the rainbow armband row.Fifa boss Gianni Infantino announced rival armband plans as part of an extraordinary press conference yesterday in which he accused European nations of racism and hypocrisy over their criticism of hosts Qatar.
      Dier has backed Kane’s decision to wear the OneLove armbandCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Kane is set to make a statement by wearing the armband, rightCredit: Getty
      Infantino made some astonishing comments during a press conference at the weekendCredit: Alamy
      But Kane is still set to wear the rainbow on his sleeve for Monday’s opener with Iran and Dier said: “That’s just part of our beliefs, our principles. My values are given to me by my parents. In everything I do, I think if my mum would be happy with me or not.”
      Germany skipper Manuel Neuer confirmed he would also support the LGBTQ+ community by wearing it.
      Wales captain Gareth Bale and the skippers of Holland, Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland are donning the rainbow, too.
      Backing Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions stand, Neuer said: “I will wear the OneLove armband. The power of it is good.”
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      But French leader Hugo Lloris, who also captains Kane and Dier at Spurs, decided NOT to join in.
      Dier added: “I respect what he wants to do. I respect everyone’s point of view and I’m very open to listen to what they believe is right and wrong.”
      The FA insist the rainbow armband is part of a year-long campaign by the men’s and women’s teams and not specifically aimed at Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
      But Kane, the FA and their European allies were already risking fines — or even bans for making political statements — under international football laws.
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      The group of European nations, including FA chief exec Mark Bullingham, met last night to agree the next step in a row overshadowing the start of this World Cup.
      Fifa unveiled its last-minute armband scheme — with the United Nations — to raise awareness of a variety of different issues.
      And Infantino ranted: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker. We’ve heard many moral lessons from Europe and the western world.
      “But for what we Europeans have done over the past 3,000 years, we should apologise for the next 3,000 years before giving moral lessons here.
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      “Reform and change takes time. It took hundreds of years in Europe.Any country can host an event. If North Korea wants to host something…
      “Only engagement brings real change. We want to remain an organisation that unites the world.” More

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      Harry Kane defies last-ditch bid by World Cup chiefs to stop him wearing rainbow ‘One Love’ armband

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      HARRY Kane today defied a last-ditch bid by World Cup chiefs to stop him wearing a rainbow “One Love” armband.His team-mate Eric Dier also became the first England player to speak out on Qatar controversies, calling stadium worker deaths “terrible”.
      Harry Kane will continue to wear the One Love armband over the alternative Fifa suggested at the last minuteCredit: Getty
      Harry Kane has worn the rainbow armband for the past two England games to ‘send a message against discrimination’Credit: Getty
      Fifa’s rattled chief Gianni Infantino had earlier launched into a bizarre defence of the World Cup, which kicks off tomorrow afternoon after a succession of cock-ups.
      Three Lions captain Kane will sport its anti-discrimination armband when England play Iran tomorrow after the FA rejected a late Fifa alternative yesterday.
      In its latest startling move, Fifa chiefs unveiled its own “approved” armbands including one emblazoned with: “NoDiscrimination.”
      But the FA hit back: “We respect the Fifa armband but are committed to the One Love armband and intend to wear it.”
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      Kane, 29, has worn the rainbow band for the past two England games “to send a message against discrimination of any kind”.
      It promotes gay rights but is not directly aimed at anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Qatar, where being gay can still be punished by death.
      A Three Lions source said last night: “Fifa will be furious but we have no intention of changing course now – particularly when the alternative is being offered so late in the day.
      “Our message is clear and will remain the same.”
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      The One Love campaign is also being backed by the captains of Holland, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales.
      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said a request had been sent for permission to wear the armband but Fifa did not respond.
      He went on: “I think there’s a possibility that we might be fined.
      “And if we are, then we’ll pay the fine. We think it’s really important to show our values.”
      Fifa’s alternative will feature a range of slogans for different rounds, including BringTheMoves and FootballUnitesTheWorld.
      Meanwhile, Spurs defender Dier, 28, criticised Qatar’s shameful record on migrant builders after more than 6,500 were reported to have died constructing stadia.
      He said: “A lot of things have happened that are disappointing … what has happened with the building of the stadiums. It is a terrible situation.”
      It came after Fifa supremo Infantino launched into a wild defence of Qatar’s already calamitous tournament.
      Fifa has been slammed for a sudden stadium beer ban, chaotic organisation plus mounting fury over Qatar’s human rights record.
      And Infantino began yesterday by rambling: “Today I have strong feelings. Today I feel Qatari, I feel Arab, I feel African, I feel gay, I feel disabled, I feel a migrant worker.”
      Swiss-Italian Infantino – who has now moved to live in Qatar – then accused the West of “hypocrisy” over human rights.
      In an extraordinary tirade which lasted for nearly an hour, Infantino, 52, said: “I am European. For what we have been doing for 3,000 years around the world, we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before giving moral lessons.”
      The bald bigwig bizarrely cited his own discrimination experiences after being bullied as a boy for having red hair and freckles.
      He also defended Fifa’s decision in 2010 to let Qatar host the World Cup. He said: “This one-sided moral lesson is just hypocrisy. I wonder why no one recognises the progress made here since 2016.
      “It is not easy to take the critics of a decision that was made 12 years ago. Qatar is ready, it will be the best World Cup ever.”
      He was backed by pop star Robbie Williams who will perform during the World Cup.
      He said: “If we’re not condoning human rights abuses anywhere, then it would be the shortest tour the world has ever known: I wouldn’t even be able to perform in my own kitchen.”
      However Infantino was last night blasted by campaigners.
      Robbie de Santos from gay right group Stonewall said: “LGBTQ+ people in Qatar are criminalised and persecuted for simply existing and cannot compromise who they are.
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      “These comments serve only to trivialise the very real suffering and oppression faced on a daily basis by LGBTQ+ Qataris.”
      Amnesty International said: “If Fifa is to salvage anything from this tournament, it must announce it will invest a significant part of the $6billion it will make to compensate workers and their families.”
      PM SUPPORT FOR 3 LIONSRISHI Sunak has backed Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions to go “all the way” in the World Cup.
      The PM said ahead of Monday’s opening game with Iran: “I know our boys will do us proud and I’ll be cheering them on all the way.”
      Mr Sunak also celebrated the fact Wales are appearing at the tournament for the first time since 1958.
      He said: “To have two home nation teams qualify for the tournament is a big win for the domestic game.” More

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      What is Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s net worth?

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      GIANNI INFANTINO has been the face of Fifa since winning the presidency back in 2016.Replacing disgraced Sepp Blatter, who was in charge when Qatar were named as the host nation for the 2022 World Cup, Infantino has been in the role for six years.
      FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vice President Vittorio Montagliani pictured with the World CupCredit: EPA
      Despite being born in Switzerland, Infantino considers himself Italian, he became the first Italian to be named as Fifa president.
      The 52-year-old is a prominent figure in football and one of the key decision-makers when it comes to the World Cup.
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      Who is Fifa president Gianni Infantino?
      Born in Switzerland, Infantino had Italian parents and has four siblings.
      He studied law at university and worked as Secretary General of the International Center for Sports Studies in Neuchatel, utilising his language skills as he is fluent in Italian, English, French and German.
      The now- Fifa president worked a Uefa in 2000 and worked his way up over nine years before being promoted to Secretary General.
      He is most notable for introducing Video Assistant Referee to football and has plans to expand the World Cup in the future to allow up to 40 teams in the tournament.
      He was elected as president in 2016 and re-elected in 2019.
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      What is his net worth?
      His predecessor Blatter was widely reported to be earning £2.2million-a-year but once Infantino was named president, he took a pay-cut.
      The Italian earns £1.16m-a-year and refused to take a bonus payment in his first year as president.
      His net worth is widely reported to be $1.5m, around £1.3m, as the Fifa president also has all expenses paid for by the footballing organisation alongside a chauffeured car and paid lodgings.

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