The English Football Association’s Chief Executive Mark Bullingham mentions that it’s told the LGBTQ+ fans attending the World Cup in November won’t face any legal actions from the local authorities. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be held in Qatar, a middle-eastern country. It is the world’s biggest single sporting event.
Many English LGBTQ+ fans of the sport were hesitant to attend the event due to the legality of the country. Qatar has strict laws against homosexuality, and considered a punishable offense. Fans questioned their safety and assurance to be safe in the oil-rich nation. According to Mark Bullingham, LGBT+ fans will be allowed to hold hands and kiss in public during the time period of FIFA World Cup 2022.
He stated, “We have been asking those questions of the Qatari authorities over the last six months. They have absolutely told us all the right answers for anything we’ve talked about, even down to the point of ‘are rainbow flags allowed?’ Yes. absolutely as long as someone doesn’t go and drape them on the outside of a mosque- that was one example we were given- and were disrespectful in that way.”
Mark stated that as long as the people don’t hurt the religious parts of the cities and other crucial properties, fans will be allowed to have the rainbow flags. The local authorities will be active, and the fans must have to be a little tolerant. “They have absolutely briefed to be tolerant and act in the right way. Any time we ask a direct question we tend to get an answer.”
