Doha, Qatar – Rainbow flags could be taken from fans at the World Cup in Qatar to protect gay rights from attacks, a senior leader overseeing the security of the tournament told The Associated Press.
Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ansari stressed that LGBTQ couples will be welcomed and accepted in Qatar from November 21 to December. 18 FIFA Shoppe Conservative Gulf Countries Despite Homosexuality Criminals.
But Al Ansari LGBTQ is a symbol of the rainbow flag against the public campaign for independence that FIFA and World Cup organizers have previously said would be welcomed across eight stadiums in Qatar.
“If he (a fan) carries a rainbow flag and I snatch it from him, I don’t really want to insult him, but to protect him,” Al Ansari told the AP. “ Because if I don’t, someone else around him can attack (him) … I can’t guarantee the behavior of the whole man. And I’ll tell him: “Please, there’s really no need to raise this flag right now.”
Al-Ansari is the director of the Department of International Cooperation and chairman of the Interior Ministry’s National Counter-Terrorism Committee, where he discussed the one-hour World Cup plan with the AP.
“You (LGBTQ) want to show your perspective on the situation, show it in a society where it will be accepted,” he said. পারি `We understand that this guy got the ticket, came here to watch the game, not to show, there is something political (acting) or something in his mind.
`দেখ Watch the game. That’s good. But don’t insult the whole society by coming for this. “
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in Doha this week that “everyone can see that everyone is being welcomed here in Qatar, even if we are talking about LGBTQ.”
Al-Ansari says he is not telling LBGTQ fans to stay away from Qatar or warning them to face trial.
“Save a room together, sleep together – that’s something we’re not worried about,” he said. We are here to conduct the tournament. Let’s not get out of this, personal personal things that can happen between these people … that’s actually the idea.
“We cannot change the law here. 28 days of the World Cup can not change religion.
When it was mentioned that visiting fans and parties could offend in comments, Al Ansari said he did not consider himself discriminatory.
He said, “I am taking a risk … the attitude of the minority against the majority. `আমাদের We need to be close before the problem explodes and gets out of control. … If someone attacks you, I’ll get involved and it’s too late. ‘
Joyce Cook, FIFA’s chief social responsibility and education official, told the AP in 2020 that “rainbow flags, T-shirts will all be welcomed in the stadium”. “They understand very well that this is our position.”
But Al Ansari’s comments about the confiscation of fans’ rainbow flags have caused confusion for staff, including Chris Pauros, a member of the English Football Association’s advisory board and the trustee of the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, who want a safe and Inclusive tournament.
“I would like to say at least this inconsistency and the constant lack of detail in terms of how it will be delivered outside of the ‘welcome everyone’ speech,” Pauros said.
The FARE Network, which monitors games for discrimination, has called on fans to respect the freedom of the World Cup.
“The idea that the flag, now a recognized universal symbol of diversity and equality, should be taken away from people for their protection would not be considered acceptable and would be seen as an excuse,” said Piara Powar, executive director of FARE. `I have been to Qatar many times and do not expect the local Qatari population or the fans who come to watch the World Cup to be attacked for wearing the rainbow flag. There is a big danger from state action. “