<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>

Across England, crowds roared. Another goal in the opening match of the World Cup! But many fans thought one thing was missing: the armband supporting LGBT+ rights players had said they would wear.

The host of this year's World Cup is QatarA small country on the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia. Like its larger neighbour, it has experienced rapid economic development but maintained strict conservative religious codes., where gay people are often sent to prison. It is even illegal to support LGBT+ rights in public.

In September, football teams from ten countries said their team captains would wear an armband with a multicoloured heart to show they support for LGBT+ rights.

But FIFAThe Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football. bans teams from talking about politics on the pitch. FIFA told the captains they would be given yellow cards. Yesterday, the players said they would not be wearing the armbands after all.

Do players have a right to defy FIFA?

<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>

Yes! Players should be allowed to show what they think and LGBT+ fans deserve to see footballers showing their support.

No! FIFA cannot change its rules just because the World Cup is in Qatar. If the players want to protest, they should simply not take part.

Qatar - A small country on the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia. Like its larger neighbour, it has experienced rapid economic development but maintained strict conservative religious codes.

Fifa - The Federation Internationale de Football Association is the world's highest governing body of association football.