Wembley was lit up in rainbow colours as England kicked off their World Cup clash with the USA.
The Three Lions once again took the knee before the match in Qatar after the row over the ‘OneLove’ armband continued between a handful of nations and FIFA at the tournament.
While threats of a punishment deterred captains including Harry Kane from donning the armband, the FA made a show of solidarity with LGBTQ+ fans on Friday night.
Rainbow colours adorned the famous arch as FA CEO Mark Bullingham defended the decision to go with FIFA’s mandatory armband.
He told ITV that the punishment for any captain wearing it was “unlimited”, adding: “They would take disciplinary action against any player that was wearing the armband on top of having a yellow card.”
England and other nations initially planning to wear the ‘OneLove’ item have received criticism for backing down.
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson told Standard Sport the World Cup taking place in a country where homosexuality is illegal is a “tragedy”.
She said: “There are issues surrounding a community that I am part of, I live it every day with my team-mates. I have a team with a same-sex couple in it. How can I be in support of something that wishes for them to stay away or not be who they are?”
Elsewhere on Friday, Qatar stewards loosened their ban on rainbow bucket hats, which had been taken off Wales supporters for their opening World Cup game.
