Ian Wright is left exasperated by FA’s reasons for Harry Kane not wearing the OneLove armband

ITV pundit Ian Wright has insisted that he is done with the entire OneLove armband fiasco after the FA provided their reasons why they will not be wearing it at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

England’s Harry Kane along with six other European nations captain’s were planning to wear the OneLove armband to promote inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar, a country which criminalises same-sex relationships.

The FA, however, confirmed that they would not be wearing the armbands ahead of their opening match win against Iran after FIFA threatened sporting sanctions for those wearing it.

Mark Bullingham, chief executive, even shared the reasons that the FA decided against it ahead of their second group-stage match against the USA on an interview on ITV pre-match.

Former Arsenal legend admitted he is done with the talks and debate over the armband situation after hearing the reasoning, although he has revealed he was keen to the Three Lions wear it after standing by it prior to the tournament.

‘You’re looking at FIFA as an organisation, turning up at their hotel two hours beforehand and threatening them mob handed, that’s going to frighten them a little bit,’ Wright said on ITV pre-match.

ITV pundit Ian Wright has insisted that he is done with the entire OneLove armband fiasco

‘But they decided to do it before the tournament and, for me, I’m going to stand by what I said – there’s no protest without risk. 

‘I wanted them to wear it, they didn’t wear it, the FA have now given their reasons why they couldn’t do it, I’m done with it.’

His fellow pundits Gary Neville and Roy Keane were also keen to share their views on the situation, but both are left unsurprised by the FA’s decision to not wear the armband, insisting the Three Lions should have seen it through.

Neville said: ‘It’s what I expect the FA would say. They’re a risk averse organisation, they always have been. It doesn’t surprise me that FIFA have acted like that, they’re a rogue organisation and at this tournament we’ve seen them at their worst. 

England and six European nations have confirmed they will not wear the OneLove armbands

‘I don’t think they’re a great face for world football. 

‘What’s an armband is going to do to harm FIFA? I accept the fact that they’ve got rules and laws against political protests, players can’t lift up their shirts, I think (Nicklas) Bendtner got fined for an advertisement years ago. 

‘The reality is I think they should’ve seen it through, ‘cos they’ve spoken so much about it and backed themselves into a corner on it. 

‘But they also have a situation whereby football players are being asked of a lot these days, you’ve got players in our dressing room like Rashford facing political battles. 

‘I’m proud of them lads that play for England, they’re a great bunch. 

‘They’ve done more in the last four/five years for English football than most. 

‘However, I think they probably should’ve seen it through because they backed themselves into a corner. Once you say you’re going to do something, you follow through with it.’

Gary Neville also shared his views on the FA’s reasons for not wearing the OneLove armband

Roy Keane insisted England should have wore the armbands and accepted the punishment

Irishman and former Manchester United midfielder Keane claims England should have just accepted the punishment and made their point clear by still wearing the armband. 

Keane added: ‘I agree. If the players felt that strongly about it, I don’t think they would’ve been deducted points, all these sanctions, they’re just threats. 

‘If the players strongly believe in it, which they’ve been talking about for a long time, stick to your guns and be prepared to take that punishment.’