US regrets FIFA decision to ban LGBT armbands in Qatar 2022

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinkdescribed this Tuesday as “extremely worrying” the prohibition by the FIFA of a bracelet that promotes the rights of people LGBT+ during the World Cup matches in Qatar.

The world soccer body threatened with “sports sanctions” the European teams whose players wear the rainbow “One Love” bracelet, while NGOs denounced the criminalization of homosexuality by the ultra-conservative Gulf emirate.

“It is very worrying to see any restrictions on freedom of expression, particularly when it comes to speaking out about diversity,” Blinken said, in response to a question from journalists about it, at a press conference in Doha.

Together with his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed ben Abderrahmane Al-Thani, the head of US diplomacy said that “no one on the soccer field should be forced to choose between playing and defending their values.”

The Qatari minister, for his part, regretted that his country has been the victim of “preconceived ideas” after this World Cup has been particularly controversial, especially due to accusations of human rights violations.

Faced with controversial warnings from FIFA, England, Germany and five other European teams renounced wearing bracelets inspired by the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBT+ communities (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, among others).

The first country in the Middle East to host the World Cup since Sunday, Qatar has ensured that all fans will be welcome without discrimination, although the country’s law penalizes homosexuality.

Blinken landed in Doha on Monday for a 24-hour visit during which he attended his country’s first game against Wales in a 1-1 draw.

His displacement to Qatar took place two days after a shooting at a gay nightclub that left five dead in Colorado Springs and that has generated a huge commotion in the United States.