England’s Three Lions to fly to World Cup on ‘Gay Pride’ jet

England’s Three Lions are to fly to the World Cup in Qatar on a Gay Pride jet to show a red card to host nation’s intolerance.

Boss Gareth Southgate and skipper Harry Kane will lead the 26-strong squad on board Rain Bow, a Virgin Atlantic A350 Airbus.

Beneath the cabin, the plane features a motif of Oscar – the airline’s LGBTQ+ Union Jack-trailing flying icon.

The gesture was proposed by FA chiefs keen to register concern about gay rights in the strict Muslim state where homosexuality can still carry the death penalty.

Southgate has vowed to make a stand. He said: “We’re very strong on inclusivity. We understand the challenges that this tournament brings . . . the human rights challenges.”

It was “highly unlikely”, he said, that he would follow FIFA’s guidance to focus solely on football during the Cup.

He said: “We’ve always spoken about issues we think should be talked about, particularly ones we feel we can affect.”