Qatar’s World Cup Ambassador Delivers Veiled Threat to Gay Visitors
(CNN) – Qatar FIFA World Cup ambassador and former footballer Khalid Salman has said homosexuality is “damage in the mind” and warned gay visitors “to accept our rules” in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF on Monday.The interview, filmed in Doha less than two weeks before the start of the tournament, was immediately stopped by an official from the World Cup organizing committee.During the interview, Salman was discussing the issue of homosexuality being illegal in Qatar.Salman told ZDF that being gay was “haram,” meaning forbidden according to Islamic law. “It is damage in the mind,” Salman said.RELATED: Qatar Airways Sued Over Alleged Forced Vaginal ExaminationsAs many people are expected to travel to Qatar for the World Cup, “let’s talk about gays,” Salman said.“The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here.
