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An alleged citation attributed to an unnamed spokesperson from Qatar about an incarceration penalty for displaying the “LGBTQ+ flag” within the upcoming 2022 World Cup is circulating on-line. There is no such thing as a proof, nonetheless, that the quote is actual and spokespeople for the Qatari authorities have dismissed its authenticity to different shops.
The assertion shared on social media reads: “Whoever carry the LGBTQ flag on the earth cup, will probably be arrested for 7 or 11 years, we’re right here in an Islamic nation it’s best to respect our faith, beliefs and tradition.” Iterations may be discovered on Twitter (here) (here) and Fb (right here right here)
The declare was additionally shared in Spanish. A Fb put up that has been shared over 4,600 occasions is viewable ( bit.ly/3RcInvF )
Reuters discovered no reliable report of this or an identical assertion from a Qatari spokesperson.
A search on the official web site of the occasion returned no related outcomes (www.qatar2022.qa/en/information). Likewise, searches on the verified Twitter of the 2022 World Cup (archive.ph/wip/uyIRh ) and Fb account didn’t present such assertion.
Talking to Spanish fact-checking shops Maldita (right here) and Newtral (right here), Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organizers referred to the citation as false.
Qatar’s Supreme Committee didn’t reply to Reuters request for remark.
The declare first unfold in Arabic as early because the week of June 20, as identified by Marc Owen Jones, assistant professor of Center East Research at Hamad bin Khalifa College in Qatar and writer of Digital Authoritarianism within the Center East, who beforehand addressed the declare on Twitter (here).
Owen Jones additionally pointed to a Twitter account that seems to be one of many early posters of the message in English; it was created in March 2022 and has been suspended as of the writing of this text (twitter.com/kunafa_says) (here)
WHAT QATAR AND FIFA HAVE SAID ABOUT THE DISPLAY OF LGBTQ FLAGS
In 2021 Main Common Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari advised the Related Press that rainbow flags is perhaps taken from guests on the 2022 World Cup out of safety issues (right here).
However in 2020, now-FIFA Senior Adviser to the President’s Workplace, Joyce Cook dinner, additionally advised the AP that throughout the match , which kicks off on Nov. 21, “rainbow flags, T-shirts will all be welcome within the stadium — that’s a given” (here). Nasser Al-Khater, World Cup chief government, advised the AP that they might “respect” such pointers. (right here)
Requested about homosexual folks attending the World Cup, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani mentioned in Might 2022 that “we count on and we wish folks to respect our tradition.” (right here)
FIFA and the Qatari Authorities Communications Workplace didn’t instantly reply to Reuters request for remark.
Homosexuality is prohibited within the Gulf Arab state. Human Rights Watch has mentioned Qatari legal guidelines discriminate in opposition to ladies and lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and transgender people (right here) (right here).
Considerations about how members of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood will probably be obtained and their security throughout the match have been reported ( right here) (right here) (right here).
VERDICT
No proof. There is no such thing as a proof {that a} Qatari spokesperson made such an announcement in regards to the show of delight flags within the 2022 World Cup, and spokespeople for the Qatari authorities have dismissed the quote’s authenticity to different shops. Qatar’s Supreme Committee and the Qatari Authorities Communications Workplace didn’t reply to new Reuters requests for remark. Qatar’s Emir mentioned in Might 2022 he expects guests to respect their tradition, and homosexuality is prohibited within the Gulf state.
This text was produced by the Reuters Truth Verify crew. Learn extra about our work to fact-check social media posts right here .
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