FIFA ban on rainbow armbands at World Cup was a missed opportunity

Equal World Cup prize money and rainbow armbands for captains have become hot topics on the eve of the massive tournament.

FIFA should have included a rainbow armband for captains among its options for the Women’s World Cup according to Football Australia boss James Johnson who spruiked the “groundbreaking deal” signed by the Matildas in the wake of their call for prize money parity.

Captains will have the choice of wearing eight different-messaged armbands ­- Unite for Inclusion, Unite for Indigenous Peoples, Unite for Gender Equality, Unite for Peace, Unite for Education for All, Unite for Zero, Unite for Ending Violence Against Women and Football is Joy, Peace, Love, Hope and Passion – when the tournament starts on Thursday

However, a rainbow armband in support of the LBGTQI community was overlooked. Captains run the risk of being issued with yellow cards if they wear a rainbow armband, as was the case at last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr highlighted that fact when she revealed why she wouldn’t break the rules, despite her want to show support for the cause.

“It’s not worth the risk; putting the team at risk; putting everything at risk; and there will be multiple opportunities where I get to use my voice for things,” she said.

FIFA has teamed up with several @UN agencies to harness the power of football and spread positive messages globally during all 64 matches of the upcoming @FIFAWWC. #FootballUnitesTheWorld

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 30, 2023

While FA chief executive officer Johnson was pleased that FIFA had presented a variety of armbands options for captain, he believed the sport’s world governing body didn’t go far enough.

“We welcome the framework that FIFA has put in place, because it’s broad and it allows players to select an issue that they care about,” Johnson said.

“On the other hand, though, we do acknowledge that they didn’t go as far and specifically focus on LGBTQI.”

“We do have to recognise that there was movement made since the last (men’) World Cup and we welcome that.

“Where the conversation started to where it ended, there was definitely improvement.

“We’ve landed in a place that’s acceptable, but having said that, it didn’t go as far as what we would have liked.”

Johnson, who has previously worked for FIFA, has been linked with a return to the organisation to take up the role of secretary-general that Fatma Samoura will vacate at the end of the year.

“I’m aware of that, but my focus is to ensure that we deliver the best-ever women’s World Cup … and we’ve got a lot more to do after we deliver the women’s World Cup,” he said.

“There’s no other focus I’ve got at the moment.”

With the @FIFAWWC kicking off this Thursday, our @TheMatildas have a message for those who paved the way. For those who broke down barriers and fought for progress. For the past. For the future.

For those within our football community, our fans, our sponsors, our politicians,… pic.twitter.com/gVImezbX30

— Professional Footballers Australia (@thepfa) July 16, 2023

Johnson also said he could “not speak on behalf of FIFA” when asked to comment on the Matildas’ call ­ - via a video and with the help of Professional Footballers Australia ­- for the same prize money to be on offer at the men’s and women’s World Cups.

At last year’s men’s World Cup, the prize pool was $440 million compared to the $110 million on offer at the 2023 women’s World Cup.

“What I can say is that we (Football Australia) pay our girls equally to our men,” Johnson said.

“That was a groundbreaking deal. We invest the same amount in the (Matildas’) program.

“FIFA-wise, it doesn’t get to where we are in Australia, but it (women’s World Cup prize money) has improved, but there’s room for improvement.”