World Cup fans CAN now wear rainbow-coloured hats and clothes

2022-11-25

World Cup fans CAN now wear rainbow-coloured hats and clothes, FIFA confirms, after Qatar officials caved in to pressure

Welsh fans had been ordered by Qatari officials to remove rainbow-themed hats
But FIFA reassured them that Qatari officials would not stop them from wearing the rainbow-coloured clothing today for match against Iran
A sea of red shirts and rainbow-coloured bucket hats filled the stadium today
Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results

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 after Qatari officials caved into pressure.

Welsh fans had 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.

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

And 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

And 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.

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.

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

‘All World Cup venues have been contacted and instructed to follow the agreed rules and regulations.

‘The FAW urges FIFA to adhere to their message that everybody will be welcome in Qatar during the World Cup and continue to highlight any further human rights issues.’

McAllistar, following FIFA’s reassurance that Qatari officials would not stop fans from wearing rainbow-coloured bucket hats and clothing, said: ‘I was always going to wear my rainbow bucket hat to today’s game, regardless of what we heard back from Fifa, but I’m really pleased we’ve been able to force Fifa’s hand on this.

‘They have heard now that rainbow emblems, whether it’s bucket hats, or laces, or wristbands, will be permitted in the stadium, but of course we were told that before the USA game.

‘I just hope they stick to what has been said, and I can’t see there being any issues unless the Qatari authorities completely ignore FIFA’s directive again.’

Ms McAllister said she has not received an apology over the incident but it has not soured the tournament for her.

She added: ‘This backfired so horribly for Fifa and the Qataris because, at the end of the day, it gave us a platform to talk about LGBT rights.’

Source: Read Full Article