International sporting events, when they’re at
their best, stand for unity, inclusivity, and togetherness. Events like the
Olympics and the World Cup take place only once every four years and offer a
chance for countries to come together both on and off the field.
In that spirit, England and nine other countries have banded together to create the “OneLove” initiative, a program that aims to promote inclusivity during this year’s World Cup events. Here’s what that means for the world’s foremost soccer competition.
The OneLove Initiative
The ambitious OneLove initiative was created by the Netherlands for this year’s World Cup in Qatar. Other countries joining the Netherlands and England in this initiative are Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Wales. According to England’s national team, this move is aimed at promoting inclusivity on the world stage.
The English Football Association says this should "send a message against discrimination of any kind as the eyes of the world fall on the global game," noting soccer’s place as the world’s favorite sport. England’s captain, Harry Kane, will be wearing the initiative’s multicolored armband, representing players from all backgrounds.
Harry Kane Speaks Out Regarding OneLove
Kane, who is one of the foremost players in England, spoke to reporters about the initiative. "I am honoured to join my fellow national team captains in supporting the important OneLove campaign," Kane explained. "As captains, we may all be competing against each other on the pitch, but we stand together against all forms of discrimination.” The team captain made a point of bringing up how divided the world has been lately when explaining why the initiative is important now more than ever.
"This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society. Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching."
Political Statement?
Many players and fans were surprised when Qatar was chosen as the venue for this year’s World Cup. For one thing, same-sex activities are criminalized in the country, which has resulted in condemnation from human rights organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and FairSquare.
Some fans have seen the OneLove initiative as a major pushback from European players condemning Qatar’s stance regarding LGBT people. Many LGBT soccer fans in Europe have expressed frustration with the venue, as they’re worried that traveling to Qatar to watch the games could result in them being imprisoned.