FIFA guarantees Wales: Rainbow hats allowed in stadium
November 24th
Welsh fans will be allowed into the stadium with their rainbow-colored hats and flags for the forthcoming World Cup matches in Qatar without fear of sanctions. This was announced by the Football Association of Wales on Twitter on Thursday evening. The world association Fifa would have confirmed that before the group game on Friday against Iran. “All World Cup venues have been contacted and instructed to abide by the agreed rules and regulations,” said the Welshman.
Welsh fans got into trouble entering the stadium at the start of the World Cup for wearing rainbow hats. These were taken from female supporters ahead of their team’s 1-1 draw with the USA on Monday night at Al-Rajjan’s Ahmad bin Ali Stadium. The traditional headgear called buckets had fans made with colored stripes as a sign of solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community.
Other fans, including a German supporter, also had trouble with stadium staff over paraphernalia in rainbow colors at this World Cup. According to the law, homosexuality in Qatar is illegal and punishable by up to seven years in prison.