Sky Sports boss Jamie Carragher says England will look “weak” if they agree not to wear the OneLove bracelet following pressure from FIFA.
The FA and Harry Kane had insisted that he would wear the necklace as a message against racism and in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
But on Monday morning, FA CEO Mark Bullingham said England were exploring “another way of expressing our beliefs” after FIFA threatened to ban any captain wearing the OneLove rainbow at the World Cup.
Still talking Sky Sports news‘ World Cup Breakfast, former England defender Carragher said the decision to wear the armband should not be discussed too late.
“Harry Kane should wear it,” he said.
“Angalande made a big noise saying that they are wearing this, this is their protest for the World Cup to be held in Qatar, human rights and everything that is happening in this country that people criticize.
“This is England’s way of showing that they do not agree with everything that is happening in the country.
“He can’t go out now. The fact that Harry Kane can get a yellow card only strengthens the campaign. For England to go out because of Kane’s yellow card, I think it will be weak, so I think this will make them. very determined.”
After the discussion, Carragher also gave his thoughts on Gareth Southgate’s team selection this evening against Iran, with Harry Maguire starting 4-3-3.
“I think so [a back four is a good idea], because of the nature of the opposition. I think it will be a game where England have a lot of possessions and it will be a story if they can destroy Iran? ” he added.
“I hope they will, but I don’t think it will be a game where they will win three or four times. I think it will be a tough game, which will be made very difficult by Carlos Quieroz, who is known to set up his teams. difficult to play against.
“I’m happy that Gareth has gone with that extra player and I think that, in the knock-out game – if England go through, which I think they will – they’ll go back three, given the opposition they’re going to face.
“I think that’s England’s strength under Gareth Southgate; they’re flexible as a team and I think it helps that, when you go into big games, the opposition don’t know what you can do going into the game.
Reports also suggest that Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham are set to be available from the start, which Carragher believes will benefit Southgate’s side.
“I would start both players,” he said. “We had a chat at Fulham after the last Premier League game we talked about on Sky, where we all said what our teams would be and I saw that it would be 4-3-3 and you have to go to Saka for the game because of the speed with Kane.
“He wants players who have speed and can run behind him. Saka is very good, playing in a team at the top of the table.
“I think Bellingham is one of the first names in the team, although he is not a regular England player. I think it would be difficult for anyone to pick an England team without including him.”