Qatar’s bigotry tarnishes the beautiful game
who pursue status symbols like Gucci, seen in their interlocked G’s that tuck their expensive high end jeans to their waists. What we wear is very symbolic to how we see ourselves when in public.
So it was to my surprise when watching fans of the Qatar soccer World Cup this week who were upset that a gay sports reporter was offended by being barred from wearing a rainbow coloured T-shirt to one of the stadiums.
The rainbow in this context has become synonymous with the queer community. While the sports writer already knew about this ban, a fate that Germany and England have faced flack for, he was mocked for imposing Western notions and was criticised for expecting Qatari people to accept his sexuality.
Sure, wearing a rainbow Tshirt does not certify one’s identity but it does hold the important symbolism behind the equality that LGBTQIA+ people deserve.
This has further stressed the issue behind Qatar being the host country for the Fifa World Cup.
There is no crime with a conservative state hosting such an inclusive tournament but when its rules silence the voices of many diverse people, what is the point?
From red ribbons to red berets, these aren’t just symbols used lightly. They carry with them the important duty of creating awareness.
By effectively barring queer representation on the pitch, Qatar has the biggest soccer tournament in the world under its thumb. If players on the pitch cannot stand for inclusivity, does that mean that Fifa effectively stands for themselves instead? Having already faced backlash for the billions made in revenue by hosting the World Cup in Qatar, perhaps the tournament’s board has already shown its true colours.