Qatar: The head of Qatar’s World Cup Organizing Committee Mr. Hassan al-Thawadi made a statement that OneLove armband supporters are allegedly sending a “very divisive message” to the Islamic and Arab worlds.

Mr. Thawadi, Supreme World Cup Committee for delivery and legacy secretary general, made his remarks in response to the British Sports Minister Mr. Stuart Andrew’s announcement that he would wear the rainbow Armband for England vs. Wales match on November 30th.

The gay Conservative frontbencher argued that FIFA’s last-minute threat of sporting sanctions against 7 European teams who had intended to wear the anti-discrimination emblem in Qatar, compelling them to protest in other ways was “very unfair.”

“I want to show support and I was delighted to see that the German minister who attended a recent match has worn it, I think it is important that I do so,” the Conservative frontbencher added.

Mr. Thawadi, cited that, he had a “problem” with the armband because he perceived it as a protest against Islamic values and an Islamic Country hosting such a significant event.

“If the teams decided to do it throughout the entire season, that is one thing. But if you’re coming to make a point or a statement in Qatar, that is something I have an issue with. And it goes back to the simple fact that this is a part of the world that has its own set of values,” the head of Qatar’s World Cup Organizing Committee noted.

“This is not Qatar I’m talking about, it’s the Arab world. For the teams to come and preach or make statements, that’s fine. But what you’re essentially saying is you’re protesting an Islamic country hosting an event. Where does that end? Does that mean no Islamic country can never be able to participate in anything?,” Mr. Thawadi added.

“There’s going to be different values and different views coming in. So, for me, if you’re going to come specifically to make a statement here in Qatar – or specifically addressed to Qatar and by extension, the Islamic world – it leaves a very divisive message,” the head concluded.

Same-sex relationships are prohibited in Qatar while organizers and FIFA have reiterated that “everyone is welcome” during the World Cup, it is unclear whether regulations that criminalise behaviours like kissing in public have been suspended.

Officials had previously taken away rainbow-themed goods from fans, such as T-shirts and Wales bucket hats, before FIFA decided that they should be permitted inside stadiums.

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