BBC cameraman wearing rainbow-stripped watch turned away at World Cup

BBC reporter turned away at Qatar World Cup along with cameraman wearing rainbow-striped watch after confiscation confusion, as Welsh fans who had LGBTQ items banned say they ‘won’t be silenced’

• Qatari guards stopped a BBC cameraman because of his rainbow watch strap
• The Qatari government U-turned on letting fans don rainbow items and hats
• But Welsh fans had rainbow-coloured items confiscation on Monday’s US game

Staff stopped BBC sports correspondent Natalie Pirks and her cameramen from getting into the Al Bayt stadium in Qatar after they spotted him wearing a rainbow watch strap.

‘Just arrived at the Al Bayt stadium for England’s game and my cameraman, wearing the rainbow coloured watch strap his son got him, was stopped by security and refused entry,’ said Natalie on Twitter.

‘Clearly the message from FIFA is STILL not getting through,’ she added.

After talking on a hotline set up for people with issues entering the stadium, eventually they got past security. 

But football fans say they are mistrustful of the Qatari government after it U-turned on letting fans wear rainbow headwear and outfits at the 2022 World Cup, following a social media backlash.

‘Fifa, we still don’t believe you. Your treatment of LGBTQ+ fans and allies this World Cup has been disgusting,’ said Welsh fans’ group Rainbow Wall on Twitter, adding: ‘We won’t be silenced.’

On Monday, Qatar guards confiscated rainbow-coloured items from fans ahead of Wales’s 1-1 draw with the USA.

Qatari guards stopped BBC sports correspondent Natalie Pirks and her cameramen from getting into the World Cup after they spotted him wearing a rainbow watch strap

‘BBC Sports correspondent Natalie Pirks is pictured with England fans. World Cup fans had previously been told they were allowed to take rainbow-themed bucket hats and flags into the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, but many were stopped anyway

World Cup fans, who had previously been told they were allowed to take rainbow-themed bucket hats and flags into the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, were shocked.

Welsh fans had previously been ordered by Qatari officials to remove the rainbow-themed items before entering the stadium for their opening game against the United States on Monday.

But the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said that FIFA had reassured them that Qatari officials would not stop their fans from wearing the hats, which are a symbol of support for members of the LGBTQ community.

On Friday, a sea of red shirts and rainbow-coloured bucket hats filled the stadium as Welsh fans watched their side lose 2-0 to Iran. 

The display of the rainbow has proved a major talking point in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal. 

Laura McAllister, a former captain of Wales’ women’s team, was confronted by security guards at her country’s match against the USA on Monday and ordered to take off her rainbow-coloured bucket hat.

Welsh fans with rainbow hats before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and IR Iran

Fans were allowed to take rainbow-themed bucket hats and flags into the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium for Wales’ World Cup match against Iran today

The rainbow version of the Welsh fans’ popular hat shows support for the LGBTQ community.

The Football Association of Wales said several members of Rainbow Wall, Wales’ LGBTQ supporters group, had also been told they could not wear the hats.

But the FAW tweeted that FIFA had confirmed that fans with rainbow-themed items would be allowed entry to Friday’s match against Iran.

‘In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans with Rainbow Wall bucket hats and rainbow flags will be allowed entry to the stadium for Cymru’s match against Iran on Friday,’ it said.

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