Georgia Stanway speaks out on One Love armband before England go to WWC

Georgia Stanway says the Lionesses will ‘stand by what they believe in’ regardless of whether they are allowed to wear the ‘One Love’ armband at the Women’s World Cup.

England captain Leah Williamson, who will miss the tournament through injury, had said in February that she wanted to wear the anti-discrimination armband - which promotes diversity and inclusion - this summer.

Harry Kane and nine other captains had planned to display the symbol at the Qatar World Cup but were forced to reverse their decision after FIFA threatened sporting sanctions hours before the Three Lions’ first game.

Reports last week said that female players had been shown a range of armbands highlighting social issues that may be worn in Australia and New Zealand.

Speaking ahead of the Lionesses’ send-off fixture against Portugal on Saturday, Stanway said she and her team-mates will continue to fight for the causes they believe in whether they can or cannot wear the ‘One Love’ symbol.

‘No matter what the outcome is, whether it goes our way or not, we know that we still stand for exactly the same thing,’ Stanway said.

‘If we can or can't wear the armband, we know that we wanted to and we'll stand by the fact that we wanted to. Whatever the outcome is, we'll still stand by whatever we believed in and whatever we wanted to be the resolution.

‘I feel like we're at a place now where everybody could have their own individual opinion and we're able to fight for what we believe in. Sarina [Wiegman] is with us 100 percent, whatever we want to do she backs us. We make the final decision and Sarina comes with us.’

Millie Bright will captain England at the World Cup this summer, with Williamson absent through injury. But the regular skipper had earlier this year urged FIFA to make a decision on the outcome before players landed Down Under.

‘We’re never shy in saying what we stand for. We’re a squad that promotes inclusivity, equality, we obviously have a number of people that feel very strongly about it,’ Williamson said.

‘You hope it’s not a last-minute call once we get there, it’s something we want to do all year round.

‘We have done it previously, I think the statement that was made at the Euros last summer with every team participating [wearing a rainbow armband], I think that was incredible.

‘Every picture we had with the trophy lift, there is a rainbow armband in there. I think it’s a great stage, a great time to promote those values that we believe in so much so I hope it’s the same [at the World Cup].’

England will be without Bright and Jordan Nobbs for the warm-up fixture against Portugal, with both players working their way back to fitness. Alex Greenwood will be available after the defender suffered an injury scare in Tuesday’s session.

‘They’re all in a good place. Millie and Jordan will not be available for tomorrow, they’re progressing well. Alex, she’s fine, she’ll be in training [today],’ Wiegman said.

‘It’s uncomfortable when any player goes down. Things happen like that, I’m pleased when they stand up and can walk off the pitch.’