Roy Keane tells Kane, Van Dijk, Bale why they made ‘big mistake’ not wearing OneLove armbands

Harry Kane England v Iran

Roy Keane believes Harry Kane and Gareth Bale made a ‘big mistake’ by bowing down to FIFA and not wearing the OneLove armbands in their World Cup openers on Monday.

Just hours before England’s impressive 6-2 win over Iran, the Football Association confirmed that Kane would not wear the armband, which shows support to the LGBTQ+ community.

The FA admitted that the prospect of Kane being booked or even banned for wearing the armband was one of the key reasons behind the decision.

Wales captain Gareth Bale and Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk also opted not to wear it during their opening World Cup matches on Monday.

But former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland skipper Keane feels it would have been a ‘great statement’ if the trio had defied FIFA.

“I think the players could have done it for the first game and took the punishment. Whatever that might be,” Keane told ITV.

“Obviously you’re risking Kane if he gets a yellow card if that was going to be the punishment. But that would have been a great statement.

“Do it for the first game, you get your yellow card. What a message that would have been from Kane or Bale. Take your medicine and then the next game you move on. You don’t wear it because obviously you don’t want to be suspended.

“I think it was a big mistake. I think both players particularly when we are talking about Wales and England they should have stuck to their guns and done it, whatever pressure outside or their own associations. If that’s what you believe go with it.”

Kane left to focus on game

Speaking about his decision to not wear the armband, Kane said after England’s thumping win: “We’re disappointed.

“I said yesterday we wanted to wear it. That decision was taken out of my hands today. I turned up to the stadium with the armband that I wore and I was told I had to wear that [FIFA’s version].

“It’s out of our control as players. I’m sure the FA and FIFA will continue those discussions. But most importantly today we focused on the game and got a great result.”

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