World Cup
The flags of the LGBTQ+ community are confiscated in Qatar for security reasons
Everyone is free to come and watch the World Cup in Qatar, but the rainbow flags on the stadiums cannot be confiscated for security reasons.
Qatar was in the football spotlight ahead of the World Cup due to human rights abuses by workers.
Another issue that has been raised is the question of the gay and LGBTQ+ community and whether they can be “free” on the pitch.
A Qatari government spokesman, Abdulaziz Abdullah al-Ansari, said in a statement that if anyone hoisted a rainbow flag at the stadium, it would be removed for security reasons and not because it violated their rights. The reason is that several anti-gay crimes have taken place in Qatar and any reaction can be seen as an insult to society.
Details of what Al Ansari told the Associated Press: “If he (a fan) raises the rainbow flag, I will take it from him, not because I really want to take it to really offend him, but to protect him.
Because if it’s not me, someone else around him can attack him… I can’t guarantee the behavior of all the people. And I’ll say to him, “Please, you really don’t have to raise that flag at this point.”“.
Source: sport 24
Sophia Jhon is a sports journalist and author. He has worked as a news editor for Sportish and is now a sport columnist for the same publication. Alberta’s professional interests lie largely in sports news, with an emphasis on English football. He has also written articles on other sporting topics.