Qatar urged to suspend homophobic laws during World Cup

Seven months before the opening of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the president of the Norwegian football federation has raised her voice to denounce the lack of security guarantees for LGBTQI+ people.

A few days after the opening of the ticket sales to attend the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar (from November 21 to December 18), the president of the Norwegian Football Federation, Lise Klaveness, has warned about the absence of guarantees for the security for LGBTQI+ playing or attending the events means many will be in violation of the country’s homophobic laws.

“When awarding the World Cup to a country where the LGBTQ lifestyle is banned, football must ensure that all fans and players will have access to the tournament,” Klaveness said.

At the moment this is not the case, points out the former international player in an interview with the German agency SID reported by L’Équipe via AFP.

“They have started selling tickets but the bans are still in force. We must ensure that these laws are suspended during the World Cup, and that it be made public.”

And to add, being herself a lesbian: “I must be able to go there with the certainty that I will not be imprisoned for something which is my right.”

In Qatar, homosexuality is punishable by 7 years in prison.

The director-general of the organization of the competition, Nasser Al-Khater, however, has assured fans and players.

“All fans, regardless of gender, (sexual) orientation, religion or race, Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world and that they will all be welcome”.

But without giving any concrete guarantee. On the contrary, the man in charge of World Cup security, Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari, said: “You want to express your point of view on the situation (LGBTQ), do it in a society where it will be accepted. Do not come to insult the whole society because of that. Here we cannot change the laws. You cannot change your religion for 28 World Cup days”.

Last Updated on Apr 17, 2022