World Cup director warns rainbow flags could be taken away from supporters

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A senior leader overseeing security for the World Cup told The Associated Press that rainbow flags could be taken off fans if they were to be attacked for promoting gay rights.

The Major General insisted that the LGBTQ couples would be accepted in the country. Same-sex relations are still criminalised in the conservative Gulf nation.

The rainbow flag that is used as a symbol of the World Cup will not be welcomed across the eight stadiums in which it is displayed.

If a fan raised a rainbow flag and I took it from him, it was not because I wanted to insult him, but to protect him. I don't know if the people will behave in a certain way. I will tell him not to raise that flag at this point.

The Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Chairman of the National Counterterrorism Committee at the Ministry of Interior discussed World Cup planning with the AP.

He said that the man came to watch the game, not to demonstrate, but because he got the ticket.

Don't forget to watch the game. That is good. Don't insult the whole society because of this.

Everyone will see that everyone is welcome in the country even if we talk about the gay community.

LBGTQ fans are not being told to stay away from Qatar or warned of prosecution, according to Al Ansari.

He said that they are here to manage the tournament. This is actually the concept, let's not go beyond, the individual personal things which might be happening between these people.

We can't change the laws here. You can't change the religion during the 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 discrimination.

He said that he risked a minority view against a majority. If someone attacks you, I have to get involved and it will be too late.

In 2020, Joyce Cook told the AP that rainbow flags, T-shirts will be welcome in the stadium. They understand our stance.

The chief executive of the World Cup said that they would respect the guidelines of the sport's governing body.