FIFA Announces Decision On Rainbow Armband For Women's World Cup
LYON, FRANCE - JULY 07: Megan Rapinoe of USA celebrates victory as she lifts the FIFA Womens World Cup trophy during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final match between Winner The United States of America and Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 7, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Molly Darlington - AMA/Getty Images)
We're a few weeks away from the FIFA Women's World Cup and the controversy over the rainbow armband that created tension during last year's World Cup in Qatar has been renewed.
According to ESPN, FIFA has decided against letting players wear the rainbow-colored armband most closely associated with LGBTQ+ pride this year and will instead offer a modified version as one of eight different armband options for players to wear throughout the tournament.
Each armband will represent a different cause advocated by the United Nations. In a statement, FIFA president Gianni Infantino explained that the different armbands will allow players to shine a spotlight on many important causes throughout society.
"[Football] can shine the spotlight on very important causes in our society," Infantino said in a statement. "After some very open talks with stakeholders, including member associations and players, we have decided to highlight a series of social causes -- from inclusion to gender equality, from peace to ending hunger, from education to tackling domestic violence -- during all 64 matches at the FIFA Women's World Cup."
Each armband will have a distinct color with a heart in the middle of it, but none will have the rainbow color.
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will begin on July 20 in Australia and New Zealnd.
