It is known that homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, so many people try to point out this fact with rainbow ribbons or, in the case of Wales fans, hats, in order to support the LGBT+ community. American fan Brian Davis was one of the “rebels”.
He arrived at the match between the USA and Iran with a rainbow armband. The security guard at the entrance to the Sumáma stadium allegedly told him that he could enter in peace, but the local police saw it differently. She first told the fan, who was already calmly waiting for the match to start in the audience, to take it off, when he refused, she forcibly dragged him from the place.
The moment Brian Davis was thrown out from the stadium. @FIFAWorldCup officially said it’s fine to wear rainbow colors at stadiums in Qatar during the World Cup. Qatar police seems to disagree. Who’s in charge? pic.twitter.com/wd4fs8E4Dp
— Rasmus Tantholdt TV2 (@RasmusTantholdt) November 29, 2022
In a video shot by Danish reporter Rasmus Tantholdt, the fan can be seen standing calmly surrounded by several Qatari police officers who are trying to prevent Tantholdt from filming the video.
“They twisted my arm and were very aggressive” US citizen Brian Davis tells us after got thrown out from #USAvIRN match by Qatari Police a few moments ago because he was wearing a rainbow colored armband. pic.twitter.com/q4aBMLySbz
— Rasmus Tantholdt TV2 (@RasmusTantholdt) November 29, 2022
When the police backed off a bit, Tantholdt asked the fan if he was OK. “They twisted my arm a bit, but otherwise I’m fine. But they were very aggressive,” said Davis, who was later allowed to return to the stadium, wearing a rainbow armband.
“Today was a bit busy. But I’m ready for the match,” he wrote afterwards on the photo he shared on his Twitter.
