The UK's first openly gay sports minister said he was determined to make the gesture even though the world's football governing body has warned players they could be booked for making political protests.
Mr Andrew, who is also an equalities minister, said that as a gay man he is in a"unique position" to send a message of solidarity to those LGBTQ+ fans who did not feel comfortable travelling to Qatar for the event.Some football teams - including England and Wales - were preparing to wear the armband during matches in a show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.Football associations subsequently backed down.
He added:"This is an incredibly important tournament for international football... of course they want to progress as far as they can. For them to be silenced is deeply unfair."Speaking about FIFA, Mr Andrew continued:"Two weeks ago they wrote to everybody to say just concentrate on the football and don't do the politics."Well I'm sorry, that is just not an acceptable position. It's not sustainable. And I think there are serious questions for FIFA to answer.
"This has been a decision I've thought long and hard about because it is a very deeply personal decision," he said. "I have a responsibility to go there and see for myself that is actually what has been delivered on the ground. And if it isn't in any way then to challenge that."'England will want to stay unbeaten'
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