Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane believes that UK nations England and Wales made grave mistakes, by choosing not to wear the 'One Love' armband after deterring threats from FIFA.
Harry Kane and Gareth Bale, among seven other international captains, initially both planned on wearing the mark of inclusion for their opening World Cup fixtures - in a stand of solidarity towards LGBT+ individuals who are persecuted around the world - including in hosting country Qatar.
However, FIFA intervened shortly before kick-off, stating that any captain sporting the armband would be instantly yellow carded.
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Before the games kicked off yesterday, the Football Associations (FAs) of England, Wales, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark compiled and released a joint statement outlining their frustration, before announcing that their skippers would not wear the band.
Always outspoken, Roy believes a mistake has been made by ditching their plans seemingly set in stone, and opting to take the penalty regardless.
Speaking before the 7pm fixture between USA and Wales, Keane said: "I think the players could have done it for the first game. Obviously you're risking Kane if he gets a yellow card if that was going to be the punishment but that would have been a great statement.
"Do it for the first game, you get your yellow card and what a message that would have been from (Harry) Kane or (Gareth) Bale... take your medicine and then the next game you move on. You don't wear it because obviously you don't want to be suspended.
"I think it was a big mistake, I think both players when we are talking about Wales and England they should have stuck to their guns and done it. Whatever pressure outside. If that's what you believe go with it."
Kane instead opted to wear the 'no discrimination' armband which FIFA approved for use from the quarter-finals of the competition. Following England's 6-2 victory over Iran, manager Gareth Southgate spoke about his frustrations about the controversy and uncertainty surrounding the armband - less than 24 hours before their World Cup kicked off.
In his post-game presser, he said: "It's not something myself and the players should have been involved with in the last 24 hours. Those discussions have been ongoing between several European nations and FIFA. I do understand FIFA's situation in that you can set a precedent and it's difficult where to draw the line.
"I think in an ideal world, that would have been a much clearer situation earlier. It has not been a distraction for us. We had to focus on the football, we can't be involved in that now.
"We have to concentrate on performances and training, especially the players. It's not for them to have to deal with that."
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