Jakarta, IO – The use of rainbow symbols – synonymous with the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) group – on clothes, armbands and flags has become a contentious issue at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After previously banning them inside stadiums, FIFA, the international governing body of football, has reversed its decision, reported Kumparan, Friday (25/11).
“Qatar have now given the governing body assurances on the issue after a series of incidents that culminated in the team captains of seven UEFA federations not wearing the OneLove armband,” the statement adds.
This guarantee has been given by the Safety and Security Operations Committee for the 2022 World Cup. This means that articles with rainbow symbols on them will no longer be confiscated by security officers at stadium gates.
FIFA initially banned supporters from displaying rainbow symbols inside stadiums to accommodate regulations in host nation Qatar. This policy prompted protests and outcry from many parties who decried it as discriminatory. (un)