England’s World Cup opens with rows over OneLove armband – as Iranian players make their own silent protest

Published

2 years ago

November 21, 2022

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England won their World Cup opener against Iran – following a build-up that was dominated by a decision not to wear the OneLove armband, the taking of the knee and the Iranian players’ own silence during the national anthem.

The Three Lions disappointed many fans by reversing plans to wear a pro-inclusivity armband after FIFA bosses reportedly vowed to book captain Harry Kane.

But manager Gareth Southgate said after the 6-2 victory that he “understands FIFA’s situation” surrounding the ban.

He said: “It’s not something that myself or the players have been involved with over the last 24 hours.

“I do understand FIFA’s situation in that you can set a precedent and it’s very difficult then – where do you draw a line?”

The Three Lions ultimately took the knee before the match began, while Iran’s players stayed silent during the national anthem.

That gesture risks more than just a sporting penalty – putting the Iran team firmly on the side of a wave of protests back home.

Widespread demonstrations have followed the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in the custody of Iran’s morality police in September after being detained for alleged violations of the country’s strict dress code.

Iranian state television did not show footage of the players lined up for the start of the match.

Off the pitch, hundreds of fans trying to get into the Khalifa International Stadium were faced with delays after they found their ticket app only started working minutes before they reached the front of the queue.

Fans said their tickets suddenly disappeared off the app, leaving them unable to get into the game.

FIFA said it was “working on solving the issue” and urged fans unable to access their tickets on their phones to check their emails “for further instructions”.

One England fan said they should have “just used paper tickets” and criticised the organisation of the entry.

“We are waiting in line and the game’s about to kick-off. I won’t use any profanity… but spewing, absolutely spewing,” said another fan, who had travelled from Australia to the game.

Meanwhile, the Home Office has warned England fans in Qatar that they could face stadium bans in Britain for abuse or violence carried out in the country.

Harry Kane was due to wear the multicoloured OneLove armband during the side’s opening game, and Wales captain Gareth Bale the same armband promoting inclusivity when he leads his team out against the USA later at Al Rayyan Stadium.

However, facing the threat of an instant yellow card, a joint statement from seven European nations – including England and Wales – who had signed up to the OneLove campaign, earlier confirmed the armbands will no longer be worn.

They said while they were “frustrated by the FIFA decision”, they could not put their players “in a position where they could face sporting sanctions”.

A suspension is issued after two bookings in this tournament, meaning had either player been booked ahead of kick-off, they would already be walking a tightrope.

Kane instead wore FIFA’s No Discrimination armband as England started their campaign against Iran.

The teams said they were prepared to “pay fines that would normally apply to breaches of kit regulations” but “cannot put our players in the situation where they might be booked or even forced to leave the field of play”.

The statement added: “We are very frustrated by the FIFA decision which we believe is unprecedented – we wrote to FIFA in September informing them of our wish to wear the OneLove armband to actively support inclusion in football, and had no response.”

Qatar has faced an onslaught of criticism since being chosen as the host nation, with the country’s poor human rights record and ban on same-sex relationships proving particularly problematic.

In Qatar, participating in same-sex sexual activity can be punished with up to seven years in prison, or even the death penalty.

The safety of migrant workers and the logistics of holding a football tournament in desert heat has also attracted negative attention.

The decision is another late one, following on from FIFA’s U-turn on alcohol sales – banning beer at the tournament’s eight stadiums, with the exception of those in corporate hospitality at venues.

The sale of alcohol is strictly controlled in Qatar, and is only allowed in the Muslim nation within hotel bars and restaurants away from street view.

The Football Supporters’ Association for fans in England and Wales, then criticised the decision, warning: “If they can change their minds on this at a moment’s notice, with no explanation, supporters will have understandable concerns about whether they will fulfil other promises relating to accommodation, transport or cultural issues.”

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Today, the group issued a scathing response to the decision on armbands, saying: “We feel betrayed.

“Today we feel contempt for an organisation that has shown its true values by giving the yellow card to players and the red card to tolerance.

“Never again should a World Cup be handed out solely on the basis of money and infrastructure. No country which falls short on LGBT+ rights, women’s rights, workers’ rights or any other universal human right should be given the honour of hosting a World Cup.”

UK

Zelenskyy says he is ‘truly thankful’ to US after Trump row – as he arrives in UK for summit

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2025

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Zelenskyy says he is 'truly thankful' to US after Trump row - as he arrives in UK for summit

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the Ukrainian people “are truly thankful” for US support, hours after talks with Donald Trump descended into a row at the White House.

During a disastrous meeting with Mr Trump, the Ukrainian president was asked by vice president JD Vance, “have you said thank you once?”

In a lengthy social media post, Mr Zelenskyy said: “I always begin with words of gratitude from our nation to the American nation”.

The Ukrainian president insisted the US-Ukraine relationship “is more than just two leaders” but it was “crucial” for his country to have Mr Trump’s support.

He added: “American people helped save our people. Humans and human rights come first. We’re truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.”

Ukraine latest: Zelenskyy says Ukraine should be ‘not forgotten’

Mr Zelenskyy will meet Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street on Saturday afternoon after his plane landed at Stansted Airport.

It comes ahead of a major summit hosted by the UK prime minister on Sunday, where more than a dozen European and EU leaders including Mr Zelenskyy will meet to discuss the Ukraine war and security.

The Ukrainian president had travelled to Washington DC to attempt to secure a ceasefire agreement after three years of war with Russia and a possible mineral deal with the US.

The meeting descended into a shouting match in front of cameras and journalists.

Mr Vance told Mr Zelenskyy: “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media.

“You should be thanking the President [Trump] for trying to bring an end to this conflict.”

‘You’re gambling with World War Three’

The Ukrainian president tried to object but Mr Trump spoke over him and told him: “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people.

“You’re gambling with World War Three, and what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”

Mr Zelenskyy defended himself and his country, openly challenging Mr Trump on his softer approach to Vladimir Putin and urging him to make “no compromises with a killer”.

European leaders express support for Zelenskyy

After the row, Mr Trump told his Ukrainian counterpart to leave the White House, according to a US official, leaving the minerals deal in limbo.

European leaders expressed their support for Mr Zelenskyy ahead of the UK summit on Sunday.

France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Olaf Scholz, and Poland’s Donald Tusk all shared social media posts expressing their support.

UK

BRIT Awards 2025: Who is performing, who’s nominated and how to watch

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2025

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BRIT Awards 2025: Who is performing, who's nominated and how to watch

Tonight’s BRIT Awards are shaping up to be a big night for female British artists, including Charli XCX and Dua Lipa.

The ceremony, which is taking place at London’s O2 Arena, will see artists who are currently dominating the charts come together to celebrate the best in popular music.

Leading nominations with five nods is Charli XCX, whose sixth album Brat was a viral hit last year.

Dua Lipa closely follows with four nominations – along with 2024 rising star winners The Last Dinner Party, and 2023 Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective.

Here is everything you can expect from the biggest night in British music.

What will happen?

Comedian Jack Whitehall is returning to host this year’s ceremony.

It will be his first time at the helm in four years, but fifth in total, after taking on the role for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2021.

There are 16 categories for awards this year, including the big one – album of the year.

In the running for this is Charli XCX – BRAT, The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World, Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism, Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching and The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy.

Other awards up for grabs include: Artist of the year, group of the year, best new artist, song of the year, international artist of the year, international group of the year, international song of the year, alternative rock act, hip-hop/grime/rap act, dance act, pop act and R&B act.

Last year’s ceremony saw singer-songwriter Raye dominating, with a record number of six wins including a clean sweep of the big three; best artist, best song and best album.

This year, the trophy that winners will pick up on the night has been designed by artist Gabriel Moses.

Who is nominated?

Before the awards have even begun, Charli XCX has been announced as the winner of this year’s songwriter of the year award.

Also recognised is her longtime collaborator AG Cook, winning BRITs producer of the year, reflecting the combined impact he and Charli XCX have had on music over the last 12 months.

The singer – whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison – could still pick up another five awards tonight including: pop act, dance act, song of the year, artist of the year and album of the year.

Behind Charli XCX, this year also sees The Beatles pick up a nomination for the song Now And Then.

The song, which was finished by Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr with the help of audio restoration and released in November, is the band’s first nomination since 1977.

The Cure are also back with three nominations – following the release of their 14th album, Songs Of A Lost World, in 2024.

International artists such as Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Benson Boone, Chappell Roan and Kendrick Lamar have also all got nods, as well as homegrown talent such as Central Cee, Fred again.., Sam Fender and former Little Mix star JADE.

Sabrina Carpenter will become the first international artist to receive the global success award after breaking records in the UK charts.

The pop star held the top spot on the Official UK Charts for a combined 21 weeks in 2024, the first artist to do so in 71 years.

Her mega-hits Taste, Please Please Please and Espresso held the top three spots simultaneously, making her the first female artist to do so.

Already named as this year’s rising star is British singer-songwriter Myles Smith, whose single Stargazing became one of the UK’s biggest hits of 2024.

You can read the full list of nominations ahead of tonight, right here.

Who is performing?

Taking to the stage at this year’s ceremony is a mix of UK and US artists including Sam Fender, JADE, Teddy Swims and Myles Smith.

Off the back of winning the award for global success, Sabrina Carpenter, will also treat audiences to a performance.

It comes after Carpenter’s slapstick comedy mashup performance at the Grammy’s was dubbed “iconic” by fans.

It is the first year American artists Shaboozey, known for A Bar Song (Tipsy) and Teddy Swims, known for Lose Control, will also perform at the awards.

“I’m beyond grateful and humbled to not only be nominated for a BRIT Award but to take the stage,” Shaboozey said.

“This past year has been huge for me with my records getting love from all over the world and now I can celebrate with my friends and fans in London.”

Meanwhile, JADE, whose real name is Jade Thirlwall, said she “manifested” performing at the BRITs every day since the release of her debut solo single Angel Of My Dreams last year.

The singer already has three BRIT Awards to her name, winning best British single for Shout Out To My Ex, video of the year for Woman Like Me and best British group with Little Mix, but is nominated this year as a solo artist in the song of the year and pop act categories.

Also performing on the night are Lola Young – who is nominated for best pop act – and The Last Dinner Party, who won the BRITs rising star award last year.

How to watch

Live coverage of the BRITs will start on ITV and ITVX from 8.15pm tonight.

You can also follow along with all the latest from the red carpet and ceremony on Sky News and our dedicated live blog.

For those outside the UK, the show is available to watch internationally on the BRITs YouTube channel.

UK

Three teenage girls charged with manslaughter after 75-year-old dies in London

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2025

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Three teenage girls charged with manslaughter after 75-year-old dies in London

Three teenage girls have been charged with manslaughter after a 75-year-old man died in north London.

The Metropolitan Police said the man, named as Fredi Reviro, was attacked on Seven Sisters Road in Islington around 11.35pm on Thursday.

He died in hospital the next day.

A special post-mortem examination will be held.

The girls – aged 14, 16, and 17 – will appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday, the force said.

They cannot be named because of their age.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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