The English FA (Football Association) are waiting to hear what punishment they will receive, should Harry Kane choose to wear the OneLove armband during England's opening World Cup battle against Iran today.
Kane, alongside Wales captain Gareth Bale and seven other international skippers have planned to wear the mark - promoting diversity and inclusion in Qatar - a country where same-sex relationships are completely outlawed.
However, organisers and regulators at FIFA have launched their own initiative on the landscape of the tournament.
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The Mirror reports that football's governing body wish that each nation wear their armbands to push environmentalism, education, healthy living, children's safety and anti-discriminatory views. But this armband will not come into play until the latter stages of the coveted tournament.
UK nations in England and Wales, as well as the further seven involved want their captains to continue on with the OneLove campaign - which was launched by the Netherlands in the wake of Euro 2020. Kane wore the armband in England's recent Nations League fixture against Italy and Germany.
However, FIFA could force Gareth Southgate's side among others to completely abandon the campaign, with damaging sanctions outlined for taking 'political action'. Captains, as well as participating teams could be immediately booked by referees for wearing unsanctioned armbands in the tournament.
Should this be the case, Kane as well as Bale could in theory be suspended for the England vs Wales head to head come November 29. This is because players receive a one-match suspension by FIFA in the event that they pick up two yellow cards at a world cup.
It also exposes them to a greater risk of being sent off throughout a single game.
As reported by The Athletic, the FA would be willing to accept a fine as punishment for wearing the OneLove armband, but it will be difficult for the likes of Kane and Bale to accept a yellow card for the protest.
An update from FIFA is expected imminently.
England's World Cup begins today, as they take to the Khalifa International Stadium at 1pm to face Iran. Wales are likewise in action today, facing USA at the Al Rayyan Stadium at 7pm this evening.
Germany captain Manuel Neuer has also pledged to wear the OneLove armband regardless of FIFA's view, with Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk also said to be planning on supporting the campaign - admitting that he "would have to discuss it" should he be booked for doing so.
"I think we’ve made it clear as a team and a staff and organisation that we want to wear the armband," said Kane on Sunday.
"I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment, and I’m sure by game-time tomorrow they will have their decision. But, yeah, I think we’ve made it clear that we want to wear it."
Southgate, added: "There’s nothing I can add to what Harry has said. I know there are some conversations going on. I think a number of European countries have spoken. We’ve made our position clear, so hopefully everything will be resolved before the game."
Bale, added: "Us as footballers, it's been a difficult subject to talk about. We can shed a light on problems that are going on. We've spoken to the FAW, they've been speaking to the Welsh Government who have been speaking to Qatar and FIFA in working on these issues.
"For us as players we are fully behind it and support everything we can do. Us as footballers, the most we can do is make awareness and it's for people higher up to hopefully make change for the better. We support everything in terms of the armband and we'll be doing as much as we can to hopefully get change in the right way."
England have also pledged to take the knee against Iran to protest against racial discrimination and inequality. It's unclear at this stage if Iran will follow suit.
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