An American journalist became the talking point on Twitter on Monday when he claimed to have been “detained” at the World Cup in Qatar for wearing a rainbow-colored shirt, which has sparked a mixed response from social media users. Grant Wahl took to Twitter last night to upload a photo of himself wearing the shirt, along with the tweet, “Just now: Security guard refusing to let me into the stadium for USA-Wales. ‘You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.’”
Hosting the World Cup soccer games in Qatar was controversial in itself given that the country has strict laws when it comes to human rights, such as condemning homosexuality, and freedom of expression, while women need to seek permission from their male guardians (or husband) to work, travel abroad, study overseas, or even act as their child’s primary guardian if the couple were to divorce. Drinking alcohol to the point of being drunk is also deemed illegal and can result in a hefty fine or being jailed.
Just now: Security guard refusing to let me into the stadium for USA-Wales. “You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.” pic.twitter.com/TvSGThMYq8
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022
I’m OK, but that was an unnecessary ordeal. Am in the media center, still wearing my shirt. Was detained for nearly half an hour. Go gays 🌈 https://t.co/S3INBoCz89
— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2022
According to Grant, he was told by security that if he took the shirt off, he could enter the stadium, but he vehemently refused to comply and decided to take the matter to Twitter instead. While his tweet generated 150k likes in a matter of hours, there were countless responses from people who felt the reporter should have respected the country’s law and practice.
“When your country is hosting the ‘World Cup’ it means you have to respect the values and beliefs of all visitors to the games you are hosting,” one person wrote in the comment section of the thread.
Another echoed similar words, writing, “You have already made rainbow colors as the sign of LGBTQ sign which violates our beliefs as Muslims so, any rainbow color we see is a sign/mark promoting your agenda which we won’t accept that in our society. I don’t know why u guys find it difficult to comprehend that!”
A third person continued, “You knew exactly what you were doing, and you’re glad you were refused entry just so you could take this little picture of yours.”
All support to Qatar
Respect their rules or don’t go at all, as a person travel to Europe, I heard it many times: “you are in our country respect our culture and rules” so I do and I say the same for people going to Qatar “you are in their country respect their culture and rules.— 🅐🅛🅐🅐 (@ala_e8) November 21, 2022
No one is asking to change your beliefs but keep them to your self.
My beliefs is Marijuana should be legal in all the world, can i go smoking a joint infront of a police officer in a country which clearly says that is not Legal?
Doesn’t make sense at all.— #InJoseWeTrust #JoseFanONLY (@love_Life_7633) November 21, 2022
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The viral tweet comes just days after Qatar said it would not be selling alcohol at its stadium games — a revelation that was sure to shock a lot of travelers coming from abroad. “Alcohol is available only at licensed hotel restaurants and bars, and expatriates living in Qatar can obtain alcohol on a permit system.”
It was initially believed that since Budweiser is an official sponsor of FIFA, their alcoholic beverage would still be served — but Qatar has since silenced those claims, making it clear that drinking any alcohol during the stadium games was strictly prohibited.