World Cup hotels turn away gay couples

FIFA say they will order Qatari hotels not to discriminate against guests amid reports that three refused to let gay couples book a room. Officials will also carry out inspections during the World Cup to ensure hotels are not turning away people on the grounds of sexuality. Journalists from Sweden, Denmark and Norway posed as gay couples and attempted to book rooms for their honeymoons. Three hotels listed on FIFA’s website said ‘No’, despite FIFA and Qatari authorities insisting all would be welcome in a country where homosexuality is illegal. In a statement, FIFA said they had been in touch with World Cup organisers and will ‘ensure that the hotels mentioned are once again made aware of our strict requirements in relation to welcoming guests in a non-discriminatory manner’. A spokesperson added that those failing to comply would have their contracts terminated. Awareness sessions are to be held and audits and inspections will be carried out.