Rainbow flags in the stands, Pride events across the city, colorful parties in the streets. And right in the middle of it all: a soccer match between two countries united in their hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Saturday’s World Cup Group G clash between Iran and Egypt in the north-western US city of Seattle will not only decide who advances to the knock-out round; It is also causing significant political controversy in the buildup.
In the first official “Pride Match” in World Cup history, the two competing teams are from Muslim-majority countries, where the LGBTQ+ community faces enormous hardships and even criminal prosecution.
Federations criticize FIFA
The fact that this situation has arisen is ultimately a coincidence.
Before the World Cup groups were drawn in December, and before the specific matchup was known, the local organizing committee in Seattle designated the game a “Pride Match” based around a festival on the last weekend of June.
But the inclusion of the fixture in the city’s Pride celebrations has not gone down well with the two football federations taking part
A spokesman for the Iranian national team said athletic that they were taking the matter “seriously”, so seriously that both opponents united before the match to renew their protests, as they had done when the event was first announced.
After all, the Iranian federation said, Egypt and Iran are “two Muslim countries with deep cultural and religious similarities,” countries that share “values and beliefs.”
He urged FIFA to take “necessary steps” to “ensure that no such celebrations or promotional activities take place in stadiums.” The aim is to prevent symbols associated with the “movement” – as the federation refers to the LGBTQ+ community – from appearing inside the stadium, including rainbow flags.
There has been talk of a possible boycott or even cancellation of the match for several weeks. However, experts consider such a drastic response unlikely.
The LGBTQ+ community faces intense pressure in both Iran, where homosexual acts can be punished by death, and Egypt, where homosexuality can also be criminally prosecuted.
FIFA – Political stance varies by host
FIFA has remained almost stable so far. In response to an inquiry from athleticThe organization said the World Cup is an “inclusive event” and fans of all sexual orientations are “welcome” at matches.
This shows that the global governing body prefers to tailor its stance on political messages to the conditions of host countries rather than follow its own clear policy.
The wearing of “One Love” captain’s bracelets was banned in Qatar in 2022. Fans displaying certain symbols, such as the rainbow flag, were denied entry to the stadium.
The situation is different in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which are co-hosting this year’s tournament. According to the forum’s code of conduct, “rainbow flags and other flags representing sexual orientation and gender identity” are allowed.
In Seattle, local organizers say they will not be deterred by the homophobia and anti-gay sentiment of the Iranian and Egyptian unions.
“Let’s welcome people to Seattle,” Hedda McLendon, a member of the city’s World Cup organizing committee, told the website. outsports. “And let’s show them how proud we are.”
This article is taken from German language.