FIFA World Cup 2022: Belgium’s foreign minister Hadja Lahbib wears ‘One Love’ armband

Belgium’s foreign minister, Hadja Lahbib, hogged the headlines when she wore the ‘One Love’ armband.

While meeting FIFA president Gianni Infantino during her country’s FIFA World Cup 2022 match against Canada on Wednesday, November 23 at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

Lahbib posted a picture on her Twitter handle where she can be seen wearing the armband on her left arm, writing “My heart goes out to our Red Devils!”

Earlier, FIFA banned captains of seven European nations, including Belgium, from wearing the ‘One Love’ armbands. The world football’s governing body issued a threat that yellow cards would be issued if players wore the armbands.

The ban didn’t go down well with the German football federation, who are set to take legal action against FIFA over their decision.

“Fifa has forbidden us from using a symbol of diversity and human rights. It said the ban would be linked to massive penalties (in the nature of) sporting sanctions without concretising exactly what it meant. The DFB is keen to clarify whether Fifa’s procedure is in fact legitimate,” DFB’s spokesperson Stefan Simon was quoted as saying.

Before their match against Japan on Wednesday at Khalifa International Stadium, the German team protested against the ban by posing for a picture by putting their hands on their mouths.

Nancy Faeser, the German Interior Minister, also wore the ‘One Love’ armband while sitting in the stands during her country’s match on November 23. She even posted a picture with the hashtag #OneLove.

As far as Belgium are concerned, they won their opening match against Canada 1-0 and are on top of the points table in their group.

Germany, on the other hand, lost to Japan 1-2 and are placed third in the points table in Group E.