Are you following the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 :tm: ?
Team captains are permitted to wear armbands promoting different causes but FIFA has chosen to not have a rainbow armband, following the controversy of the last FIFA World Cup (for men) in Qatar.
All is not lost, however.
The captain of New Zealand found a loophole by painting her nails in the Progress Pride flag colours.
This doesn't mean that FIFA didn't have an armband for the cause.
In fact, they released eight armbands of different causes, including one for Inclusion.
This one is rather exciting.
As an inclusion armband, it doesn't actually include all of humanity but it does promote two cohorts, particularly one that needs more recognition.
The logo features a heart and the top half features stripes in the colours of the Pan-African flag (a flag representing all people of African descent).
The bottom half of the flag features the colours of the Pansexual flag!!!!!!!!
FIFA might have ditched the rainbow flag to try and avoid controversy from the past but featuring the Pansexual flag (which are also the predominant colours of the Panromantic flag) sure helps put Pansexuality and Panromanticism on the world stage!
Some country's captains have already worn this armband in matches they've played, though it doesn't stop there.
A huge LED board here at the Sydney Football Stadium featured the logo at the end of a match, while a huge flag featuring the logo was presented at the same venue.
Many people are unhappy that a rainbow armband wasn't included but I'm not complaining.
I'm going to feel more represented by those Pansexual flag colours on the logo than those of the Progress Pride Flag.
I have a copy of the logo but I'm unable to posted it here for you to view.
FIFA are pretty strict about legalities, so I won't violate their Copyright.
You can see one version of the logo here, which you are free to view but best not to copy and post anywhere to avoid legal troubles.
This is a good move by FIFA in promotion of Pansexual recognition but world sport has a long way to go to equality.
There's still much discrimination in sport.
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