sport news The FA did not attend a crucial pre-World Cup meeting with FIFA to discuss ... trends now
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The Football Association - along with a number of other European federations - did not attend a crunch pre-World Cup summit with FIFA at which the wearing of the now-banned One Love armband was discussed.
No representatives from the FA and three other nations were present when a UEFA Working Group on Human and Labour Rights delegation met with FIFA officials at their headquarters in Zurich on October 12, in a move that has raised eyebrows in Qatar.
Meanwhile, it has emerged England feared their opening match with Iran may have been stopped should Harry Kane have worn the anti-discrimination armband.
The FA did not attend a crunch pre-World Cup meeting with FIFA on the One Love armband
England captain Harry Kane was forced to abandon wearing the anti-discrimination armband in their opening game against Iran due to fears of punishments by world governing body FIFA
Three Lions' officials were concerned that no limit had been placed on potential punishments before deciding to drop the gesture.
It is understood that the UEFA Working Group decided three nations would attend the short-notice meeting, which covered a wide range of issues including the armband, subsequently reported back to the FA with their findings.
FA chief executive Bullingham could not make the meeting as he was due at an all-staff event with 800 at St George's Park which had not taken place for two years thanks to the Covid pandemic and at which he was a key speaker.
FA insiders deny that the chief executive was personally invited to the event.
They informed FIFA of their intention to wear the armband on September 12 and, after a number of weeks with no response, suggested a meeting with the other nations in the working group.
FIFA responded with a date which Bullingham could not make and instead representatives from three of the other countries in
