World Cup One Love armband: Roy Keane has his say on controversy | OneFootball

England hit the World Cup ground running with a thumping 6-2 victory over Iran on Monday.

An inspiring performance from Jude Bellingham in the midfield set the foundation for England’s flurry of merry forwards to run riot all afternoon.

Bukayo Saka would bag a brilliant brace while Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford also rattled a goal past the hapless Iran goalkeeper after Bellingham himself got the ball rolling.

However, while England’s performance on the pitch was everything Gareth Southgate would have hoped for, it was somewhat overshadowed by goings-on off the pitch.

Fans were left fuming as they struggled to get into the Khalifa Stadium after the ticketing app crashed but it was FIFA’s firm directive with regards to the ‘One Love’ armband that made the headlines.

FIFA sanction ‘One Love’ armband

Six European captains planned to wear the armband during the tournament to highlight human rights issues in the country of Qatar before FIFA intervened and sanctioned the action.

It was reported that players wearing the armband would be given a yellow card, leading the FA and other governing bodies to back down.

BBC pundit Alex Scott took upon herself to make sure the armband was still visible before Roy Keane, covering the USA vs Wales clash for ITV ,had his say.

Roy Keane has his say on the ‘One Love’ controversy

Keane, who is known for his brutal honesty, pulled no punches as he expressed his disappointment that the protest didn’t go ahead.

“I think the players could have worn the armbands for the first game, and took the punishment, whatever that might be,” he began.

“Kane, they were saying, was risking a yellow card as that might be the punishment. But that would have been a great statement.

Video: Roy Keane speaks on the ‘One Love’ debate

With the strict rules surrounding the accumulation of cards at major tournaments, you can hardly blame the players for wanting to avoid a yellow card.

Keane, however, felt it would have been a truly powerful statement.

“If you get your yellow card, what a message that would have been, from Kane or Bale. Take your medicine, and then move on. Then, in the next game, you don’t wear it because you don’t want to be getting suspended, but I think it was a big mistake.

“Both players – and we are talking about Wales and England here – they should have stuck to their guns and done it. Whatever about pressures from the outside, or your own associations, have the belief – if that is what you believe – and go with it.”

Whatever you make of the off-field controversy at the World Cup, you can be certain this is not the last we will hear of it.

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