FIFA’s One Love Armband Ban: A Blow to LGBTQ+ Inclusion at the World Cup

July 17, 2023
By Salma Ahmed

Disappointing moves made by FIFA seem to be never-ending. The governing body of football has been making some decisions that aren’t in favor of the LGBTQ+ community, and these kinds of decisions were repeated once more. In a disappointing movement, FIFA announced its ban on the One Love armband during the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Here is what we know.

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Banning One Love

FIFA recently decided that players won’t be allowed to wear the One Love armband during any of the Women’s World Cup games. Instead of allowing the players to wear what they want, FIFA introduced eight alternatives that support different causes.

FIFA will allow players to either pick one approved armband to wear during each round or wear the same one for the entire tournament. FIFA said that they discussed the matter with national associations and players for months.

However, during training sessions, FIFA will allow players to wear any armband they like, including the One Love armband. Although training sessions are not televised and

Similarities to the Men’s World Cup in Qatar

People started comparing FIFA’s decision and what happened during the Men’s World Cup in Qatar. Back then, controversy ensued after FIFA also banned the One Love armband. FIFA’s strict regulation reached the point of threatening the male players to receive a yellow card if they decided to wear the armband. This is confirmed to be the same for the Women’s World Cup.

Unlike Qatar, Australia and New Zealand have a history of protecting LGBTQ+ rights. So, it is unusual that FIFA decided to ban the One Love armband.

The Eight Alternatives

The eight alternatives introduced by FIFA are Unite for Inclusion, Unite for Indigenous Peoples, Unite for Gender Equality, Unite for Peace, Unite for Education for All, Unite for Zero, Unite for Ending Violence Against Women, and Football is Joy, Peace, Love, Hope, and Passion.

The Unite for Inclusion armband is the closest alternative to the banned One Love armband. Unite for Inclusion includes six colors which are red, black, and green, representing heritage and race. The other three colors are pink, yellow, and blue, representing all gender identities and sexual orientations, with the first being the Pan-African flag and the other being the Pansexual flag. This doesn’t cancel the fact that the designs are totally different.

After discussions with the Geneva United Nations Human Rights Office, FIFA reached the final eight armbands. Therefore, players are safe if they wear one of these eight.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino commented on the decision: “Football unites the world, and our global events, such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, have a unique power to unite people and provide joy, excitement, and passion. But football does even more than that – it can spotlight fundamental societal causes. After some very open talks with stakeholders, including member associations and players, we have decided to highlight a series of social causes – from inclusion to gender equality, from peace to ending hunger, from education to tackling domestic violence – during all 64 matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

Players Speaking Out

While banning the One Love armband is disappointing, the decision of what the alternatives will be is angering players as well.

So you can wear EVERYTHING else but a LGBTQ armband 😂😂😂😂😂😂.

What is going on.

What are we so afraid of.
so much effort into stopping something .. I am so confused. https://t.co/Syv9s8DFZX

— Jessica Fishlock MBE (@JessFishlock) June 30, 2023

FIFA banning the One Love armband is taking away the players’ voices. While the eight alternatives stand for incredible causes, by banning the One Love armband and imposing sanctions on those wearing it, FIFA excludes the LGBTQ+ community. Jess Fishlock is one player who frequently speaks up for LGBTQ+ rights, and the women’s national team of Germany posed for a cover shoot adorning the rainbow armbands.

Powerful cover of Sports Illustrated 🇩🇪 👏 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/EuLURr6ZpD

— Mia Eriksson (@mia_eriksson) July 11, 2023

While it doesn’t seem like FIFA will reverse its decision on the ban, many players, coaches, and teams have and will continue to speak out supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Featured image via Getty Images