Qatar official says rainbow flags may be confiscated during World Cup to “protect” fans
A Qatar official revealed that rainbow flags might be confiscated during the highly anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup. The upcoming event is set to take place between November and December in the Gulf state.
Since the news was announced, activists have expressed concerns over the tournament due to the country’s strict anti-LGBTQ laws.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and can be punished by penalties including flogging, imprisonment and even execution. Even though World Cup officials have previously encouraged the LGBTQ+ community to attend the event, the flying of rainbow flags has now been discouraged.” In an interview with The Associated Press, Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari revealed that individuals with LGBTQ+ flags could be at risk of being attacked. “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,” he explained. “Because if it’s not me, somebody else around him might attack (him)… I cannot guarantee the behaviour of the whole people.
And I will tell him: ‘Please, no need to really raise that flag at this point.'” Al Ansari went on to say that LGBTQ+ fans should “demonstrate” their view in a society “where it will be accepted.” “We realise 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,” he said. “Watch the game.
