Soccer World Cup fans see double standard in stadium politics ban

DOHA Dec 3 (Reuters) – When is it and isn’t it acceptable to show a political banner on the World Cup in Qatar? The reply appears to rely largely on the political message, with followers criticising what they see as inconsistent enforcement of FIFA guidelines by the host nation.

The primary World Cup within the Center East has been something however insulated from the troubles of the unstable area, set in opposition to a backdrop of anti-government protests in Iran and an upsurge in Israeli-Palestinian violence.

However whereas airing pro-Palestinian sympathies has been allowed – individuals have been even handing out “Free Palestine” T-shirts forward of Argentina’s match with Poland on Wednesday – safety forces have clamped down on followers searching for to indicate assist for protesters in Iran, who’ve been demanding an finish to clerical rule there.

The distinction was laid naked this week outdoors the Al Thumama stadium. On Thursday, safety ushered by means of tons of of followers draped in flags, hats and scarves displaying assist for Palestine forward of the Morocco v Canada match.

Two nights earlier, safety on the identical stadium confiscated gadgets displaying assist for Iranian protesters, forcing followers to take away T-shirts and a few flags forward of Iran’s crunch match in opposition to the US.

As crowds dissipated after Iran’s 1-0 defeat, Reuters journalists noticed guards chase males in activist shirts by means of the stadium precinct, tackling one to the bottom as he screamed the cry of Iran’s anti-government protesters: “Girl Life Freedom”.

Forward of the match, FIFA’s Human Rights division despatched an electronic mail to followers who complained about remedy at earlier Iran matches, clarifying that ‘Ladies.Life.Freedom’ or the title or portrait of Mahsa Amini – the lady whose loss of life in Iranian police custody sparked the unrest – are allowed in stadiums.

Reuters noticed the textual content of the e-mail.

Qatar’s World Cup organisers mentioned that “safety authorities stepped in to deescalate pressure and restore calm.” Qatar’s authorities media workplace didn’t reply to a request for remark.

“A REAL PROBLEM”

Whereas followers see a double customary, analysts say the method displays the political priorities of Qatar, a conservative Muslim nation with an authoritarian authorities that has lengthy walked a diplomatic tightrope.

Its insurance policies have included constructing good ties with Iran whereas internet hosting the area’s largest U.S. navy base, and internet hosting the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas whereas beforehand having some commerce relations with Israel and permitting Israelis to fly direct to Doha for the World Cup – a primary.

For followers, inconsistent enforcement of guidelines had been “an actual downside”, mentioned Ronan Evain, government director of Soccer Supporters of Europe. “What we see ultimately is that FIFA has misplaced management of its personal event.”

He mentioned there had been “staggering” inconsistency over Iranian slogans, saying followers had worn T-shirts declaring assist for the protests at some video games whereas entering into bother for carrying them at Iran’s matches.

He noticed related inconsistency when it got here to reveals of assist for LGBT+ rights, for which Qatar has confronted heavy criticism due to its ban on homosexuality.

Whereas rainbow flags are in idea allowed, “in observe we see that that is very totally different”, he mentioned. “This inconsistency…is placing followers in danger,” he mentioned.

A FIFA Qatar World Cup stadium code of conduct prohibits banners, flags, fliers, attire and different paraphernalia of a “political, offensive and/or discriminatory nature”.

A FIFA spokesperson mentioned it was “conscious of some incidents the place permitted gadgets weren’t allowed to be displayed at stadiums”, and continued to work intently with Qatar to make sure full implementation of rules.

Iranian-American Saeed Kamalinia mentioned he wore a T-shirt declaring “Ladies Life Freedom” to 6 video games however hid it on his means by means of safety for 2 of Iran’s matches and determined in opposition to carrying it to the US recreation, fearing a crackdown.

In contrast, symbols of assist for the Palestinians have been extensively seen. “I felt welcomed by the Qatari individuals and by all current right here … individuals greet us with ‘Palestine Palestine’,” mentioned Palestinian fan Saeed Khalil.

Maryam Alhajri, a Qatari member of Qatar Youth In opposition to Normalization, a vocal group against Arab normalisation with Israel, mentioned pro-Palestinian sympathies confirmed “that Palestine stays the first Arab trigger”.

Arab states together with the United Arab Emirates and Morocco – cheered by many Arab followers for making it to the final 16 – normalized ties with Israel in 2020.

For Qatar, permitting reveals of assist for the Palestinians was a part of a “hedging technique”, mentioned Mehran Kamrava, a professor of presidency at Georgetown College Qatar.

Qatar was “permitting the inhabitants to vent their anger and reveal their assist symbolically for Palestine, whereas on the identical time the federal government is laying the groundwork for bettering relations if not totally normalizing them”.

Reporting by Andrew Mills with contributions from Charlotte Bruneau in Doha; Writing by Andrew Mills and Tom Perry; Modifying by Angus MacSwan

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.