DOHA (VG) Belgian Foreign Minister Hadj Lahbib watched Belgium’s opening World Cup match with FIFA President Gianni Infantino – having the controversial ‘OneLove’ bandage affixed to his left arm.
While Belgium opened world Cup of football with 1–0 win over CanadaBelgian Foreign Minister Hajda Lahbib used something that FIFA does not allow Belgium captain Eden Hazard to wear: the rainbow-colored captain’s armband.
“I want to travel with a clear and distinct message about working conditions and human rights, particularly women’s and LGBT rights,” Lahabib told Belgian media, according to NTB, before the settlement.
Roberto Martinez said the following to VG in the post-match press conference.
– We have spent two years being proactive and active. We have set up a platform in Belgium. But I’ve said it before: I’m not an expert, and I’m not someone who should have a voice, says Martinez.
When asked by VG about the political signs, Martinez suggested that others should now take up the fight against Qatar and FIFA in the future.
– Our message was clear and unambiguous – from the federation and from the players. Everyone explained the situation, but all we can do now is let football do the talking. All big organizations, and big voices like AI, must continue to give clear messages.
– We are football experts advised by the institutions that help us create a platform. He continued: We have done many activities and now we have to do what we can do better, which is to play football.
Eden Hazard spoke to TV2 about the magnitude of OneLove:
I didn’t want to start the game with a yellow card. Hazard adds that continuing the championship would have been a problem TV 2.
– That’s why I chose not to follow it, but if I could choose again, I probably would wear it anyway, says the Belgian.
One of the most talked about topics of the World Cup is that FIFA has threatened sanctions if leaders of nations wear the rainbow armband in support of the LGBT+ community.
Belgium, along with six other nations, had initially intended to wear rainbow-colored captain’s armbands during the World Cup in Qatar. Countries dropped this because FIFA said they would sanction such marking with a yellow card.
Earlier Wednesday, Germany played its opening match in the World Cup, which ended in a surprising 1-2 loss to Japan. Germany was also one of the countries that intended to use the “OneLove” bandage during the World Cup. Before the start of the match, the Germans covered their mouths as they took a picture of the team.
– It was a message from the team, from all of us, that FIFA is giving us a muzzle, German national team manager Hansi Flick said afterwards. Surprisingly losing 1-2 to Japan.
– We will not let them ban our statements. “When we have something to say, we’ll keep doing it,” Joshua Kimmich said, according to Bild.
Germany said earlier this week that it wants to take FIFA to court As a result of Rainbow’s refusal from the Football Association.
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