Canadian MPs unanimously condemn FIFA threat to punish World Cup players for armbands

OTTAWA — Canadian members of Parliament passed a unanimous motion Tuesday condemning FIFA’s decision to threaten on-field punishment if soccer players in the World Cup wear armbands supportive of the LGBTQ community.

Some team captains planned to wear “One Love” armbands seen as a rebuke to the human-rights record of host nation Qatar, where homosexuality is criminalized.

But the governing body for soccer said that wearing the armband on the field could result in a serious penalty that would leave players one caution away from ejection in that game and the next.

The House of Commons adopted a motion saying that international sporting governing bodies have a moral obligation to support players and fans in highlighting the fight for equality against homophobia, transphobia and all forms of discrimination in sport.