Qatari academic says he’s ‘proud’ US journalist Grant Wahl was detained for wearing a rainbow shirt

A Qatari academic has said he is “proud” that American football reporter Grant Wahl was refused entry to a World Cup stadium in Qatar for wearing a rainbow shirt.

Wahl attended the US’s first game of the tournament against Wales on Monday, wearing a black T-shirt with a rainbow-colored circle around a soccer ball in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

He took to Twitter to claim that he was initially denied entry to the Ahmed bin Ali stadium in Al Rayyan. He also revealed that shortly after sending his first tweet, security personnel “forcibly snatched his phone from his hands.”

Wahl’s account was widely condemned on social media, but Dr. Nayef bin Nahar, a director of social sciences at the University of Qatarhad a different opinion.

He retweeted Wahl and said, “As a Qatari, I’m proud of what happened.

‘I don’t know when Westerners will realize that their values ​​are not universal. There are other cultures with other values ​​that should be equally respected.

“Let’s not forget that the West is not humanity’s spokesman.”

Bin Naharis is director of humanities and social sciences, according to Qatar University website.

He apparently has seven books, one of which is called “Introduction to International Relations.”

The World Cup in Qatar was criticized for “sportwashing” over the host nation’s poor human rights record, particularly its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.

In Qatar, male homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment and same-sex marriages are not recognized by the government.

Just this month, a World Cup ambassador in Qatar told a German TV channel that homosexuality was “damage to the mind” and that it remains illegal to be gay in the conservative Muslim country.

Wahl attended his native USA’s first World Cup match against Wales and wrote on social media, “Just now: Security guard refuses to let me into stadium for USA Wales. “You need to change your shirt. It is not permitted.”‘

About 50 minutes later, he posted again to reassure fans and social media users, revealing he was stuck for nearly half an hour.

He added, “I’m fine, but that was an unnecessary ordeal. Am in the media center, still in my shirt. Held for almost half an hour. Go gays.’

One guard reportedly told Wahl his shirt was “political” and therefore not allowed, while another refused to return the phone.

Wahl revealed that Andrew Das, a New York Times reporter, walked by and was also detained after Wahl told him what was going on.

Das was eventually let go, while Wahl was asked if he was from the UK, which he told them was from New York.

A security commander eventually arrived on the scene and apologized to Wahl before letting him go. Wahl said a FIFA official also apologized.

Wahl’s tweet comes amid yet another scandal to hit the tournament after FIFA revealed team captains could face a booking and possible suspension if they go through with their decision to wear the OneLove rainbow bracelet as a show of solidarity with the LGBT+ community -community.

Captains from nine European countries, including Group B rivals Harry Kane from the US and Gareth Bale from Wales, planned to wear the One Love bracelets to promote inclusivity and LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar, a country that punishable between people of the same sex.

England and six European countries have since confirmed they will not wear the OneLove bracelets in Qatar after FIFA threatened sports sanctions against those wearing it.

England’s FA had expected a fine for breaching FIFA’s statutes, but the prospect of Kane being shown a yellow card and thus a suspension was a scenario that worried English football’s governing body.

The Three Lions talisman striker did not wear the armband in their opening match against Iran in USA Group B.

FIFA has strict rules about clothing that can be worn by players and the armband is not allowed under the code.

The start of the tournament has already settled into something of a farce after a series of controversies over the past few days, including a last-minute alcohol ban, a mostly empty stadium for the opening ceremony and thousands of people involved in the moment entering FIFA fan zones .

The oil-rich country has faced a barrage of criticism over its treatment of foreign workers, LGBT rights and social restrictions, risking its reputation to host a smooth tournament. It has been accused of hosting the World Cup with ‘fake fans’ to generate positive coverage.

The US made its own huge statement last week when it redesigned its emblem with the rainbow flag in an effort to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.

However, the USMNT seem to have taken an immediate stand upon their arrival in Doha by changing the usual red stripes on their crest to a rainbow around their team base.

Photos from Al Gharrafa SC Stadium in Al Rayyan, where the US team trained last Monday, showed a huge US emblem on the wall, next to the slogan ‘One Nation’.

It is understood that the crest on the team’s kits on the field will not be changed, but the new colors will be displayed on their practice facilities.

Neil Buethe, the USMNT’s Chief Communications Officer, told DailyMail.com, “Our rainbow badge plays an important and consistent role in US Soccer’s identity.

“As part of our approach to every match or event, we include rainbow branding to support and embrace the LGBTQ community, and to promote a spirit of inclusion and welcome for all fans around the world.

“As a result, venues that we will manage and operate during the FIFA World Cup, such as the team hotel, media rooms and parties, will carry both the traditional and rainbow US Soccer branding.”