Alex Scott praised for wearing One Love armband during World Cup pundit duty
Alex Scott has been heaped with praise for wearing a One Love armband while reporting from the England vs Iran match.
The Three Lions are about to begin their World Cup campaign in Qatar, and the presenter stood pitch-side defiantly wearing the symbol of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
On Twitter, Scott has been flooded with praise.
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One fan wrote: "@AlexScott seriously you’re a legend. Take note @FA this is how you should of stood."
Another added: "Alex Scott is an icon."
While a third wrote: "Yet again, Alex Scott nails it."
It comes after fans said England and Wales have 'bottled it' by not wearing the anti-discrimination armband.
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The Three Lions and Wales announced via a joint statement from other European nations who had signed up to the One Love campaign that the armbands would no longer be worn.
They said FIFA had been clear it would impose 'sporting sanctions' if the captains of the teams wore the item on the field of play, adding it would not risk yellow cards or more.
England fan Steve Wright, 43, from Derby, when informed of the decision, told the PA news agency: "I disagree with that.
“They’re just bowing to the oppression of the Qatari government.”
Shaun Rowland, 56, from Hertfordshire, also speaking outside the Khalifa International Stadium ahead of England’s game with Iran, said: “They’ve bottled it, haven’t they?
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“Would it have made a massive difference? I don’t know, I think it’s a shame.”
Solicitor Karen Bareham, 60, from Guildford, when asked about England captain Harry Kane wearing the rainbow armband before the reversal was announced, said: “I think he should wear it, I think it’d be the right thing to do – if he picks up a yellow card, so be it.”
The Football Supporters’ Association also expressed its 'contempt' for FIFA.
In a statement, the association said: “To paraphrase FIFA president Gianni Infantino – today LGBT+ football supporters and their allies will feel angry.
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“Today we feel betrayed. Today we feel contempt for an organisation that has shown its true values by giving the yellow card to players and the red card to tolerance.
“Never again should a World Cup be handed out solely on the basis of money and infrastructure. No country which falls short on LGBT+ rights, women’s rights, worker’s rights or any other universal human right should be given the honour of hosting a World Cup.
“Since 2010 we have been raising questions about the suitability of Qatar as a World Cup host. Everyone could see this coming and it’s astonishing that, on the morning of England’s World Cup opener, FIFA are trying to censor players for sharing a positive message.”
Jake Massey