Teddy Sheringham brands Fifa’s LGBTQ armband threat ‘a joke’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former England footballer Teddy Sheringham has branded threats of sanctions against World Cup players for wearing an armband supporting LGBTQ rights a “joke”. Ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker Sheringham said he would have “loved” to see England captain Harry Kane wear the armband and said Fifa was “in the wrong” to potentially punish players. Accountant Tom Davies, 25, from Birmingham, said: “I’ve been pacing up and down this room so much that I could start raising money for the NHS.” Many fans said they had booked the time off work to watch the first winter World Cup in the tournament’s history. Sheringham said he liked the season change, adding: “Normally the World Cup would be going on and you would think to yourself, ‘Should I watch the World Cup or should I go and play golf in the lovely sunshine…or go for a picnic?’ But now, it’s wet and it’s cold outside so let’s watch four games of football during the day.” The room boasted a large standing space under a terrace where VIPs stood to watch the wall-to-wall screen.