World Cup 2022: Qatar guarantees the safety of LGTBIQ + followers but asks that there be no “displays of affection in public”

Nasser Al-Khater, president of organizing committee of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (November 21-December 18), confirmed that “homosexuality is not allowed” in the emirate, but promises that LGTBIQ + followers will have the right to travel to the country and attend matches. Of course, with a rule: “ public displays of affection are frowned upon and this applies to everyone. ”

The Qatari leader wanted to explain this issue on Tuesday in an interview for the CNN and answered some issues related to human rights in the country. “Qatar and neighboring countries are much more conservative and we ask the fans to respect. We are sure that they will, just as we respect different cultures, we hope that ours is too. “

Qatar and neighboring countries are much more conservative and we ask fans to respect

Al-Khater qI want to emphasize that all those attending the World Cup will be safe regardless of their sexual orientation or culture.. “They will come to Qatar as fans and attendees of a soccer tournament and they will be able to do what any other human being would do,” he added.

In line with this question, the Qatari leader was asked by Josh Cavallo, the Australian who recently broke the taboo by being the first active footballer to come out as gay. Cavallo recently acknowledged “his fear” about going to Qatar, but Al-Khater insisted he would be welcome if he went. “On the contrary, We welcome you and invite you to come to see the country before the World Cup. Nobody feels threatened here, I believe that this perception of danger is due to the multiple accusations and news that give a negative outlook to the country. “

Finally, a response was given to the crites on the issue of the many workers who died on the World Cup construction sites. A recent report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) found at least 50 deaths and half a thousand serious injuries in 2020 among immigrant workers.

Nasser Al-Khater preferred to highlight the progress that Qatar would have made on this issue: “People should also recognize the responsibilities Qatar has assumed to advance, enact laws, protect workers’ rights and well-being“.