The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is underway, and the teams are really showing what they’re made of.
England, Germany and five other European teams at #WorldCup2022 have abandoned plans to wear a rainbow-themed armband in support of LGBTQ rights, citing the threat of disciplinary action from FIFA.#AFPSports https://t.co/6HZq0c9uHy
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 21, 2022
Under FIFA rules, players wearing kit that is not authorised by football’s world governing body could be shown a yellow card.
If that player was then shown a second yellow card, they would be sent off.
The “OneLove” armband due to be warn by the likes of England captain Harry Kane and Germany counterpart Manuel Neuer is designed as part of a campaign to promote inclusivity.
The armbands had widely been viewed as a symbolic protest against laws in the World Cup host nation Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
What a display of Stunning Bravery™.
Those players had a chance to make a powerful statement and caved. But the Iranian national team is another story.
Actual bravery: Iranian soccer players refusing to sing the anthem, and risking jail or worse
Fake bravery: Europeans threatening to wear rainbow armbands to the cheers of the media, then backing down the minute they were threatened with a yellow card
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 21, 2022
What does actual bravery look like? It looks a lot like this:
#BREAKING: Iran national team players choose not to sing national anthem at World Cup match; some of the Iranian crowed booing their own national anthem pic.twitter.com/RYPvgHMNUi
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) November 21, 2022
That is not a casual, frivolous display; that is an act of raw courage. Those players know what consequences they face by standing in silent defiance of the Iranian regime, and they’re doing it anyway, on a global stage.
Real Courage. https://t.co/OOwxpLsn9h
— Bari Weiss (@bariweiss) November 21, 2022
People need to understand the incredible risk these men are taking, and the message is clear. What here might look small and mundane is a booming message to all those risking their very lives for the integrity and future of their homeland.
— AdradeAdradeAdrade (@Adrade) November 21, 2022
Bless them. https://t.co/gIHzwKcuOf
— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) November 21, 2022
Pray for their safety when they go back
— Andy Genova (@AndyKGenova) November 21, 2022
Pray for the safety of their supporters as well:
#Iran team supporters wave their national flag bearing the word "Woman, Life, Freedom" as they cheer during the first World Cup game against England. #Qatar2022 @AFPphoto @AFP #AFP #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ie2CpoOZwL
— Stephanie Youssef (@stephanie_ysf) November 21, 2022
Amazing. And genuinely stunning.
I got chills watching this….it renews my faith in humanity!!
— sittingbydockofbay (@BW1111111) November 21, 2022
Is this an omen of what’s to come for Iran? A sign that the tide is turning against the regime and that the Iranian people are on a path to the freedom that was stolen from them at last?
I’ve had misplaced hope for change in Iran before, but this time it really does feel different. https://t.co/T2pNqNPN5x
— Rory Cooper (@rorycooper) November 21, 2022
Solidarity with the Iranian people. They deserve to live in freedom from oppression; here’s hoping they can realize that dream soon.
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