England's Harry Kane prepared to risk yellow card by wearing One Love armband
England captain Harry Kane says he is prepared to risk a yellow card by wearing a One Love armband against Iran on Monday
England captain Harry Kane insists he is prepared to risk a yellow card by wearing the One Love armband in the Three Lions' World Cup opener against Iran on Monday.
Nine nations have vowed to wear the armband in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are banned, but England are the first of those to take to the pitch in the tournament and could face punishment for the gesture.
"I feel we've made it clear as a team, as a staff and as an organisation that we want to wear the armband," Kane said in a press conference on Sunday.
"I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment. I'm sure by game time tomorrow they'll have their decision. We've made it clear that we want to wear it."
Manager Gareth Southgate added: "There's nothing I can add to what Harry has said, I know there are conversations going on, I think a number of European countries have spoken, we've made our position clear, hopefully, everything will be resolved before the game."
England would rather receive a fine than a booking for Kane, who would be hit with an automatic one-match ban if he picks up two yellow cards.
Meanwhile, FIFA launched their own armband on the eve of the tournament in partnership with the United Nations, with the theme of the message to change with every round of matches.
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Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.