Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has revealed he is still planning to join Harry Kane and Gareth Bale in fighting FIFA's rule policy by wearing the OneLove captain's armband during the World Cup - despite the possibility of receiving a yellow card.
The captains of nine nations competing at the 22nd edition of the finals had planned to wear the distinctive OneLove armbands during matches in a bid to support inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar, a country that prohibits same-sex marriage.
However, on the eve of the tournament FIFA sought to discourage the move by introducing their own social campaign, which they had collaborated with various United Nations agencies to form. The governing body is expecting all of its participants to abide by their new armbands, which will display messages such as "#ProtectChildren" "#ShareTheMeal", "#FootballForSchools" and "#NoDiscrimination" for each round of the Qatar finals.
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On Sunday it was suggested that captains who choose to don the unsanctioned OneLove armbands could be booked before kick-off, according to ruling 4.3 of FIFA's equipment regulations, which states: “No item may be worn or used in any controlled area if FIFA considers that it is dangerous, offensive or indecent, includes political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images, or otherwise does not comply in full with the laws of the game.”
But speaking ahead of Monday's clash with Senegal, Van Dijk - the captain of Holland - confirmed that he would be fighting the rules of the governing body in order to continue with his support of the OneLove campaign. While the Guardian has claimed that the Liverpool defender could wear two armbands.
"I will wear the OneLove armband tomorrow," said Van Dijk. "Nothing changed from our point of view. If I will get a yellow card for wearing it then we would have to discuss it because I don't like to play while being on a yellow."
Kane, captain of the Three Lions, echoed the message from his Dutch counterpart during his pre-Iran press conference on Sunday evening in Doha.
“We’ve made it clear as a team and a staff and organisation that we want to wear the armband," said Kane. “I know the FA are talking to Fifa at the moment and I’m sure by game time tomorrow they will have their decision. I think we’ve made it clear that we want to wear it.”
Manager Gareth Southgate also confirmed that England will take the Knee ahead of their Group B opener on Monday afternoon.
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