Menu
22/11/2022
SDLP Slams FIFA's Decision On OneLove Armbands
A decision by FIFA to punish footballers who wear OneLove armbands at the World Cup has been slammed by SDLP Sports Spokesperson Justin McNulty.
The armbands show solidarity with the LGBT+ community and teams, including England and Wales, intended to wear them to promote diversity and inclusion. However, the teams will no longer wear them after FIFA threatened players with bookings.
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: "This unedifying episode highlights exactly why the World Cup should have never been awarded to Qatar in the first place. Any country that fails to recognise the rights of the LGBT+ community and many others is not fit for the honour of hosting tournaments of this nature which traditionally attract people of all backgrounds from around the world.
"That teams and players who wanted to show their solidarity with the oppressed LGBT+ community in Qatar, who are subjected to criminal sanctions, are being prevented from doing so with the threat of on-field punishment is an absolute disgrace and brings further shame on a tournament that has had a dark cloud over it from the minute Qatar were chosen as hosts.
"While I understand the concerns of the teams and players involved, I would urge them to circumvent this ruling in innovate ways. A united stand in the face of these punishments could allow common sense to prevail. Some issues are more important than football and showing support for a group of people who live every day in fear of arrest or worse for simply being themselves should have trumped on-field concerns.
"For FIFA to sell their values to the highest bidder is entirely dishonourable, but to then move to punish those who are prepared to demonstrate courage and stand up for those values defies equality and human rights. Children and young people are watching these games in their millions. Teams and players should stand in defiance and follow the example set by Tommie Smith and John Carlos who stood up for racial justice at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. The same principles should motivate players in 2022: injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
The armbands show solidarity with the LGBT+ community and teams, including England and Wales, intended to wear them to promote diversity and inclusion. However, the teams will no longer wear them after FIFA threatened players with bookings.
SDLP Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said: "This unedifying episode highlights exactly why the World Cup should have never been awarded to Qatar in the first place. Any country that fails to recognise the rights of the LGBT+ community and many others is not fit for the honour of hosting tournaments of this nature which traditionally attract people of all backgrounds from around the world.
"That teams and players who wanted to show their solidarity with the oppressed LGBT+ community in Qatar, who are subjected to criminal sanctions, are being prevented from doing so with the threat of on-field punishment is an absolute disgrace and brings further shame on a tournament that has had a dark cloud over it from the minute Qatar were chosen as hosts.
"While I understand the concerns of the teams and players involved, I would urge them to circumvent this ruling in innovate ways. A united stand in the face of these punishments could allow common sense to prevail. Some issues are more important than football and showing support for a group of people who live every day in fear of arrest or worse for simply being themselves should have trumped on-field concerns.
"For FIFA to sell their values to the highest bidder is entirely dishonourable, but to then move to punish those who are prepared to demonstrate courage and stand up for those values defies equality and human rights. Children and young people are watching these games in their millions. Teams and players should stand in defiance and follow the example set by Tommie Smith and John Carlos who stood up for racial justice at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico. The same principles should motivate players in 2022: injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 July 2019
Locals Aim For Glory At Homeless World Cup
A squad of 16 men and women from Northern Ireland are hoping for success as they prepare to compete in the Homeless World Cup. Held in Cardiff, the street football tournament brings together players from over 50 countries, all of whom have faced homelessness or social marginalisation at some point in their lives.
Locals Aim For Glory At Homeless World Cup
A squad of 16 men and women from Northern Ireland are hoping for success as they prepare to compete in the Homeless World Cup. Held in Cardiff, the street football tournament brings together players from over 50 countries, all of whom have faced homelessness or social marginalisation at some point in their lives.
26 May 2006
IFA embroiled in passport dispute
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, has today been urged to put pressure on the soccer governing body FIFA to change its mind about insisting Northern Ireland international players must hold British passports.
IFA embroiled in passport dispute
Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, has today been urged to put pressure on the soccer governing body FIFA to change its mind about insisting Northern Ireland international players must hold British passports.
26 June 2012
More Olympic Athletes To Train In NI
The Sports Minister has announced that five more countries have chosen Northern Ireland as their training centre in the run-up to the London Olympics. Three boxing teams from Columbia, Canada and Puerto Rica and two athletics teams from Algeria and Djibouti are to train here over the next couple of weeks.
More Olympic Athletes To Train In NI
The Sports Minister has announced that five more countries have chosen Northern Ireland as their training centre in the run-up to the London Olympics. Three boxing teams from Columbia, Canada and Puerto Rica and two athletics teams from Algeria and Djibouti are to train here over the next couple of weeks.
01 November 2016
Ulster Rugby Players Deny Allegations Of Sex Offences
Ulster Rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have denied any wrongdoing in connection with allegations of sexual offences. They were two of three men arrested by police following alleged incidents at a property in south Belfast in June this year.
Ulster Rugby Players Deny Allegations Of Sex Offences
Ulster Rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have denied any wrongdoing in connection with allegations of sexual offences. They were two of three men arrested by police following alleged incidents at a property in south Belfast in June this year.
11 December 2007
Assembly Blows Whistle On FIFA Plan
Soccer will be very much in mind up at the NI Assembly this week.
Assembly Blows Whistle On FIFA Plan
Soccer will be very much in mind up at the NI Assembly this week.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
