The World Cup match between Portugal and Uruguay was stopped after a supporter carrying a rainbow flag ran onto the field.
The incident happened just before Bruno Fernandes gave Portugal a 1-0 lead. The person waving the pride flag was also sporting a t-shirt with the words “Save Ukraine” on the front and “Respect For Iranian Women” on the back.
Security quickly pulled him from the field after he voiced his opinions about Iran’s women’s rights protests, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and Qatar’s discriminating policies for LGBTQ+ people, all of which have also been observed during the World Cup.
Before a staff member at Stadium 974 quickly removed the rainbow flag from view, Iranian referee Alireza Faghani grabbed hold of it.
FIFA and Qatar’s policy for the use of the LGBTQ+ flag and community
FIFA has been under fire for threatening to penalize teams that wear the rainbow flag, a sign of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
As part of the “OneLove” campaign, seven countries were scheduled to wear it on their captains’ armbands; however, the federations changed their minds at the last minute when they learned that their players would have received a yellow card.
The teams that wanted to wear the OneLove armband were allegedly sending a “very controversial message” to the Islamic and Arab worlds, according to the head of Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee.
The ultimate World Cup committee for delivery and legacy secretary general, Hassan al-Thawadi, stated that he had a “problem” with the seven nations’ stance since he saw it as a protest against Islamic principles while an Islamic country hosts such a significant event.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, stated at a press conference prior to the tournament that “everyone will be welcomed to the tournament, regardless of their origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality.” FIFA’s message continues to be that “everyone is welcome” in Qatar.
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