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Ex-England striker Gary Lineker led a backlash today after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told gay football supporters he “respected” World Cup host Qatar.
With 25 days left to the start of the tournament in the Gulf state, concerns remain about how LGBT+ fans in the Muslim country will be treated.
Homosexual behavior is illegal in Qatar, while there are also strict laws against alcohol, drugs, public intimacy, relationships outside of marriage, dress code and swearing.
Veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell was barred from organizing the country’s first-ever LGBT+ protest yesterday.
Mr Cleverly said this morning that Qatari authorities know they will have to make “some compromises” when football fans from around the world arrive next month.
But he also urged LGBT+ fans to “flex and compromise” in comments that were promptly labeled “shocking tone-deaf” by Labor.
Lineker, who is expected to lead BBC coverage of the World Cup, has questions about Mr Cleverly’s comments.
He posted on Twitter: ‘Whatever you do, don’t do anything gay. Is that the message?’
Tatchell, who claimed he had been arrested by Qatari authorities after his attempted protest, also hit back at the foreign minister’s comments.
He demanded that the government “use its public voice to condemn the horrific human rights violations committed by the Gulf state.”
In addition to his comments about gay football supporters, the Foreign Secretary – who was reappointed to the role yesterday during the cabinet reshuffle of new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – took a swipe at Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Sir Keir said this week he would not travel to Qatar for the World Cup, even if England made it to the final.
But Mr. Cleverly revealed that he would go to the Middle East if he was able.
“As the leader of the opposition, he is in a good position to send messages. I have real work to do,” the Foreign Secretary said of Sir Keir during an interview with LBC Radio.
Speaking to LBC Radio today, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urged gay fans of England to show ‘flex and compromise’ towards the host country during next month’s World Cup in Qatar
Gary Lineker, expected to lead BBC coverage of the World Cup, had questions about Mr Cleverly’s comments
Homosexual behavior is illegal in Qatar, while there are also strict laws on alcohol, drugs, public intimacy, relationships outside of marriage, dress code and swearing
Mr Cleverly urged LGBT+ England fans to ‘respect the host country’ in comments promptly labeled as ‘shocking tone-deaf’ by critics
Mr Cleverly admitted he had not spoken to the Qatari authorities in direct response to Mr Tatchell’s case.
“I understand that he was questioned, he was supported by the consular team of the FCDO,” said the foreign minister.
“I have spoken with the Qatari authorities in the past about gay football fans going to watch the World Cup and how they will treat our fans and international fans.
“They want to make sure football fans are safe and having fun.
“They know this means that they will have to make compromises regarding what is an Islamic country with very different cultural norms from ours.
“One of the things I would like to say to football fans is that you have to respect the host country.
“They will try, they will try to make sure that people can be themselves and enjoy the football.
“And I think with a little flexibility and compromises on both sides it can be a safe, secure and exciting World Cup.”
Veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell was stopped by authorities yesterday from organizing an LGBT+ protest in Qatar
When asked if he would attend the tournament, Mr Cleverly revealed that he had had to rearrange his agenda due to this week’s cabinet reshuffle.
But he added: ‘I think if I can go, I should go.
‘Because it is a major international event, many of my international interlocutors will be there, as well as a whole load of Brits abroad.
“One of the first tasks of the Foreign Office is to protect British citizens when they travel abroad.”
Commenting on Mr Cleverly’s comments, Lucy Powell, Labor Secretary of State for Shadow Culture, said: ‘This is shocking tone deaf from James Cleverly. Sport should be accessible to everyone.
“Many fans will feel that they cannot attend this tournament to cheer on their team because of Qatar’s track record on human, labor and LGBT+ rights.
“The government should challenge FIFA on how they put fans in this position, and ensure the complete safety of all fans present, and not defend discriminatory values.”
Mr Tatchell said in a statement: ‘We had a great consular service after our protest. The British government must use its public voice to condemn the horrific human rights violations committed daily by the Qatari regime.
“Unless we all speak out, Qatar will have achieved its goal of ruining its horrendous reputation during the World Cup.
‘Mr Cleverly has the opportunity to draw attention to the abuses committed by the regime.
“All fans, not just LGBT people, should boycott the World Cup and use their social media to amplify the shocking human rights violations committed by the state of Qatar.
“Going to the World Cup is colluding with a homophobic, sexist and racist regime.”