FIFA to allow rainbows and protest banners at World Cup
The 2022 FIFA World Cup’s group stage is almost over, but the tournament’s organizers are still switching up their policies.
FIFA assured fans on Wednesday that they could bring rainbow items and banners supporting protests in Iran after the country was eliminated a day earlier.
Fans’ items with rainbow colors; a symbol of LGBTQ rights and slogans such as “Women. Life. Freedom.” had been seized by stadium security staff throughout the tournament..
The confirmation from FIFA follows a series of incidents in which fans wearing rainbow flag clothing were denied entry to the stadium because of their attire.
A U.S. journalist was told he had to change his rainbow flag T-shirt; former Welsh footballer Laura McAllister and FAW members were forced to remove their rainbow bucket hats.
“FIFA is aware of some incidents where permitted items were not allowed to be displayed at stadiums,” the governing body wrote. “FIFA has received assurances by authorities that venue commanders have been contacted in relation to the agreed rules and regulations.”
Hours before the tournament began, FIFA warned teams in the tournament that players would receive yellow cards if they wore multicolored “One Love” armbands during matches.
Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment in Qatar, which is one of the many reasons the country is a controversial choice as World Cup host but despite assurances from World Cup officials that LGBTQ+ expression would be allowed, it’s clear this hasn’t always been enforced.
In addition to denial of entry for LGBTQ+ clothing, FIFA said it would penalize teams that wear LGBTQ+ armbands, which prompted seven European teams to remove the bands from their uniforms. FIFA has been criticized for failing to follow up on its promises that the World Cup is welcome to everyone.
This year’s World Cup is the first time an Arab nation was awarded the tournament, and it could be a while until another hosts again.
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s tourism minister Ahmed Al Khateeb said the nation was considering a joint bid with Egypt and Greece for the 2030 World Cup, but a tourism ministry spokesperson later clarified that “Saudi Arabia does not have an official bid to host the FIFA World Cup.”
