SPORTS minister Stuart Andrew will wear the rainbow-coloured armband prohibited by FIFA when he attends the World Cup clash between England and Wales in Qatar on Tuesday.

The Conservative frontbencher, who is gay and represents Pudsey, said it was "really unfair" that football's governing body prevented the captains of England and Wales donning the OneLove anti-discrimination armband at the 11th hour.

Seven European countries, including the two home nations, abandoned plans to wear the anti-discrimination symbol after Fifa threatened sporting sanctions.

Mr Andrew's decision to wear the armband risks upsetting the World Cup's Qatari hosts, with homosexuality still illegal in the Gulf state.

Fans attending matches earlier in the tournament also reported having rainbow items, including T-shirts and Wales bucket hats, confiscated by officials before Fifa later insisted they should be allowed in stadiums.

Mr Andrew told ITV News: "I will most definitely be wearing the OneLove armband.

"I want to show support and I was delighted to see that the German minister who attended a recent match has worn it, I think it is important that I do so.

"And I think it's been really unfair on the England and Welsh team that at the 11th hour they were stopped by Fifa from doing it."

 

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