Qatar Could Confiscate Rainbow Flags to 'Protect' Fans From Violence
The Associated Press.Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari (pictured above) told the news wire that LGBTQ+ couples would still be welcomed in the conservative Gulf country during the November 21-December 18 global soccer tournament even while same-sex sexual activity is criminalized.However, in the interview with the AP, Al Ansari voiced opposition to displays of support for LGBTQ+ rights at the FIFA games.
The news wire reports that organizers had said the flag would be tolerated in the cup’s stadiums.“If he (a fan) raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it’s not because I really want to, really, take it, to really insult him, but to protect him,” Al Ansari said. “Because if it’s not me, somebody else around him might attack (him) ...
I cannot guarantee the behavior of the whole people. And I will tell him: ‘Please, no need to really raise that flag at this point.’”Al Ansari serves as the director of the Department of International Cooperation and Chairman of the National Counterterrorism Committee at the Ministry of Interior.“You want to demonstrate your view about the (LGBTQ) situation, demonstrate it in a society where it will be accepted,” he told the news wire. “We realize that this man got the ticket, comes here to watch the game, not to demonstrate, a political (act) or something which is in his mind.“Watch the game.
That’s good. But don’t really come in and insult the whole society because of this.”In Qatar’s capital of Doha, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that “everyone will see that everyone is welcome here in Qatar, even if we speak about LGBTQ.”Al Ansari explained that he isn’t saying queer fans should not come to the World Cup or that he’s warning them.“Reserve the room together, sleep.
