THE FA should use its influence over the sport’s laws to protect the rainbow symbol in time for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, a senior figure within an England LGBTQ+ fans’ group has said.

Three Lions Pride co-chair Joe White said the FA had been “naive” in accepting Saudi assurances that LGBTQ+ supporters would be safe and welcome before agreeing to support the bid of a country which criminalises same-sex relationships.

White said the FA should now use its position within the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to change Law 4, governing players’ equipment, to prevent a repeat of what happened in Qatar two years ago.