LIONESSES FIGHT PROTEST BAN

FIFA will put themselves on another collision course with the world’s leading players by banning protests and symbols such as the rainbow armband from this year’s Women’s World Cup.

The governing body have antagonised top female players by agreeing a sponsorship deal with the tourist authority for Saudi Arabia, a country with a history of oppressing women’s rights and where homosexuality is illegal. The commercial deal with Visit Saudi has the potential to overshadow the tournament in Australia and New Zealand in a repeat of the controversy that marred the World Cup in Qatar last year, with the ill-feeling amplified by the significant percentage of gay players involved. The poster-girl for the tournament, Chelsea’s Australian striker Sam Kerr, is gay, as are many members of Sarina Wiegman’s England squad.

England players are unhappy at the Saudi deal and will talk to the FA when they meet up for the Arnold Clark Cup next week to discuss how to respond. As co-hosts, the Australian and New Zealand football federations have already voiced their disapproval and asked FIFA for clarification on the deal. The FA have yet to comment.