US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has criticized Fifa's decision to impose sporting sanctions against players on soccer teams who wear rainbow "One love" armbands in support of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community at the World Cup. takes place in Qatar.
The US secretary of state spoke in Doha hours after seeing the United States draw 1-1 with Wales.
Blinken said during a press conference at the Diplomatic Club in Doha that it is "always worrying when you see restrictions on freedom of expression", referring to FIFA's decision to ban the captains of the national teams involved in the World Cup in Qatar from wearing the rainbow armband at the arm, and added that this is especially true when freedom of expression speaks in favor of "diversity and inclusion".
The secretary of state explained that no one on a football field should be forced to choose between upholding these values and playing for their team."
FIFA announced on Monday that it will allow team captains to wear the 'no discrimination' armband for the duration of the World Cup.