Rainbow flags could be taken from fans at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to protect them from being attacked for promoting gay rights, a senior leader overseeing security for the tournament told The Associated Press.
Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari insisted that LGBTQ couples would be welcomed and accepted in Qatar for the November 21-December 18 FIFA showpiece despite same-sex relations remaining criminalized in the conservative Gulf nation.
But Al Ansari is against the overt promotion of LGBTQ freedoms as symbolized by the rainbow flag that FIFA and World Cup organizers had previously said would be welcome across Qatar바카라s eight stadiums.
바카라If he (a fan) raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it바카라s not because I really want to, really, take it, to really insult him, but to protect him,바카라 Al Ansari told the AP. 바카라Because if it바카라s not me, somebody else around him might attack (him) ... I cannot guarantee the behavior of the whole people. And I will tell him: 바카라Please, no need to really raise that flag at this point.바카라바카라
Al Ansari is director of the Department of International Cooperation and chairman of the National Counterterrorism Committee at the Ministry of Interior where he discussed World Cup planning for an hour with the AP.
바카라You want to demonstrate your view about the (LGBTQ) situation, demonstrate it in a society where it will be accepted,바카라 he said. 바카라We 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.
바카라Watch the game. That바카라s good. But don바카라t really come in and insult the whole society because of this.바카라 The potential confiscation from supporters was condemned as 바카라deeply concerning바카라 by fan and anti-discrimination campaigners.
바카라Often, so-called 바카라protections바카라 are in fact smokescreens to cover up human rights violations,바카라 said Julia Ehrt of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and Ronain Evain of Football Supporters Europe in a joint response.
바카라FIFA and Qatar must address these concerns immediately, and show the world there is a chance of carrying out a rights-respecting and safe tournament for LGBTIQ fans.바카라 FIFA President Gianni Infantino said this week in Doha that 바카라everyone will see that everyone is welcome here in Qatar, even if we speak about LGBTQ.바카라
Al Ansari said he was not telling LBGTQ fans to stay away from Qatar or warning them of facing prosecution.
바카라Reserve the room together, sleep together -- this is something that바카라s not in our concern,바카라 he said. 바카라We are here to manage the tournament. Let바카라s not go beyond, the individual personal things which might be happening between these people ... this is actually the concept.
바카라Here we cannot change the laws. You cannot change the religion for 28 days of World Cup.바카라 When it was pointed out that visiting fans and teams could take offense to the comments, Al Ansari said he did not view himself as being discriminatory.
바카라I am risking ... a minority view against a majority,바카라 he said. 바카라We have to be close to the problem before it erupts and gets out of control. ... If somebody attacks you, then I have to get involved and it will be too late.바카라
FIFA chief social responsibility and education officer Joyce Cook told the AP in 2020 that 바카라rainbow flags, T-shirts will all be welcome in the stadium 바카라 that바카라s a given. They understand very well that is our stance.바카라 World Cup chief executive Nasser Al-Khater also said 바카라we will respect바카라 FIFA guidelines on allowing rainbow flags.
But Al Ansari바카라s comments about the confiscation of fans바카라 rainbow flags have created confusion for activists, including Chris Paouros, a member of the English Football Association바카라s inclusion advisory board and trustee with the anti-discrimination group, Kick It Out, which wanted a safe and inclusive tournament.
바카라This inconsistency and the continued lack of detail in terms of how that will be provided beyond the rhetoric of 바카라everyone is welcome바카라 is concerning to say the least,바카라 Paouros said. The FARE network, which monitors games for discrimination, called for the freedoms of fans to be respected at the World Cup.
바카라The idea that the flag, which is now a recognized universal symbol of diversity and equality, will be removed from people to protect them will not be considered acceptable, and will be seen as a pretext,바카라 FARE executive director Piara Powar said.
바카라I have been to Qatar on numerous occasions and do not expect the local Qatari population or fans visiting for the World Cup to be attacked for wearing the rainbow flag. The bigger danger comes from state actions.바카라
