Rainbow armband sends ‘very divisive message’

The head of the country’s World Cup organising committee accused teams who wanted to wear the OneLove armband at the World Cup of sending a “very divisive message” to the Islamic and Arab world. “If the teams decided to do it throughout the entire season, that is one thing,” Hassan al-Thawadi said, when asked if he felt nervous about armbands. “But if you’re coming to make a point, or a statement in Qatar, that is something I have an issue with.”

But Thawadi said organisers only wanted visitors to respect the culture and religion of the region.