Fifa president Gianni Infantino said this week in Doha that “everyone will see that everyone is welcome here in Qatar, even if we speak about LGBTQ.” However, Qatar has repeatedly faced calls to improve measures to protect the safety of LGBT people. With same-sex relationships directly criminalised under the laws of the Gulf state, an international grouping of 16 organisations focused on LGBT rights issued eight action points to tournament organisers Fifa and the local organising committee.
“Progress has been slow, reassurances about the safety of LGBTIQ+ people and the mechanisms in place to ensure safety have not been adequate,” the letter stated. The groups who co-signed the letter included Athlete Ally, Discover Football, the European Gay and Lesbian Sports Association, the Fare network, the Federation of Gay Games, Football v Homophobia, Hidayah, the International Supporters Council, ILGA World, ILGA Asia, Leap Sports, Pride House International, Mantiqitna, Mosaic, Queer Khaleeji and You Can Play.
In response to concerns, Al Ansari, chairman of the National Counterterrorism Committee at the Ministry of Interior, said: “You want to demonstrate your view about the (LGBTQ) situation, demonstrate it in a society where it will be accepted. We realise 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. Watch the game. That’s good. But don’t really come in and insult the whole society because of this.”
Al Ansari said he is not telling LBGT fans to stay away from Qatar or warning them of facing prosecution. “Reserve the room together, sleep together — this is something that’s not in our concern,” he said. “We are here to manage the tournament. Let’s not go beyond the individual personal things which might be happening between these people … this is actually the concept. Here we cannot change the laws. You cannot change the religion for 28 days of a World Cup.”
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. “I am risking … a minority view against a majority,” he said. “We 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.”
The Fare network said in response to the interview: “The Rainbow flag will be worn by thousands of people in Qatar, by LGBTIQ visitors and regular supporters. The idea that the flag, which is now a recognised and 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.
“From our experience of Qatar and the work we have done there we do not expect the local Qatari population or visiting fans to be attacked for wearing the rainbow flag, the bigger danger comes from state actions.”
The security chief’s controversial comments came after Fifa and Qatar had been rebuked by Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian football federation, over human rights.
Appearing on stage in Qatar, Klaveness had criticised the decision to award the tournament to the Gulf nation in the first place, citing the same-sex relationship ban and migrant worker rights issues. “In 2010, World Cups [of 2018 and 2022] were awarded by Fifa in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences,” she told the Fifa Congress.
