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BBC reporter turned away at Qatar World Cup along with rainbow-stripped watch cameraman after confusion over confiscation, as Welsh fans who banned LGBTQ items say they ‘will not be silenced’
- Qatari guards stopped a BBC cameraman because of his rainbow watch strap
- The government of Qatar turned to allow fans to wear rainbow items and hats
- But Welsh fans seized rainbow colored items during Monday’s US game
Staff stopped BBC sports correspondent Natalie Pirks and her cameramen from entering Al Bayt Stadium in Qatar after seeing him wearing a rainbow watch strap.
“Just arrived at Al Bayt Stadium for the England game and my cameraman, wearing the rainbow colored watch strap his son had given him, was stopped by security and refused entry,” Natalie said on Twitter.
“Clearly the message from FIFA is STILL not getting through,” she added.
After speaking on a hotline set up for people with problems entering the stadium, they finally got past security.
But football fans say they are suspicious of Qatar’s government after it backed down from allowing fans to wear rainbow headgear and outfits during the 2022 World Cup following a backlash on social media.
“Fifa, we still don’t believe you. Your treatment of LGBTQ+ fans and allies at this World Cup is disgusting,” Welsh fan group Rainbow Wall said on Twitter, adding: “We will not be silenced.”
On Monday, Qatar security guards confiscated rainbow colored items from fans ahead of Wales’ 1-1 draw with the US.
Qatari security guards barred BBC sports correspondent Natalie Pirks and her cameramen from participating in the World Cup after seeing him wearing a rainbow watch strap
BBC Sports correspondent Natalie Pirks is pictured with England fans. World Cup fans had previously been told they could bring rainbow-themed bucket hats and flags into the Ahmad bin Ali stadium, but many were still stopped
World Cup fans, who had previously been told they could bring rainbow-themed bucket hats and flags into the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, were shocked.
Welsh fans had previously been ordered by Qatari officials to remove the rainbow-themed items before entering the stadium for their opening game against the United States on Monday.
But the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said FIFA had assured them that Qatari officials would not stop their fans from wearing the hats, which are a symbol of support for members of the LGBTQ community.
On Friday, a sea of red shirts and iridescent bucket hats filled the stadium as Wales fans watched as their side lost 2-0 to Iran.
The display of the rainbow has proven to be a major talking point in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
Laura McAllister, a former captain of the Wales women’s team, was confronted by security guards during her country’s match against the US on Monday and was ordered to remove her rainbow-colored bucket hat.
Wales fans wearing rainbow hats before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and IR Iran
Fans were allowed to bring rainbow-themed bucket hats and flags to the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium today for Wales’ World Cup match against Iran
The rainbow version of the Welsh fans’ popular hat shows support for the LGBTQ community.
The Football Association of Wales said several members of Rainbow Wall, Wales’ LGBTQ supporters group, had also been told not to wear the hats.
But the FAW tweeted that FIFA had confirmed that fans wearing rainbow-themed items would be able to access Friday’s game against Iran.
“In response to the FAW, FIFA has confirmed that fans wearing Rainbow Wall hats and rainbow flags will be allowed access to the stadium for Cymru’s game against Iran on Friday,” FIFA said.