FIFA has confirmed fans will be allowed to wear rainbow hats and take rainbow flags into the stadium for Wales’ game against Iran this morning – after they were forfeited ahead of the 1-1 draw with the United States earlier this week.
The Football Association of Wales said the sites of Qatar had been contacted and instructed to follow agreed rules and regulations including the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayman where the Dragons will face Iran in their second Group B game at 10am UK time.
In a statement, he added: “FAW urges Fifa to adhere to their message that everyone will be welcome in Qatar during the world Cup and continue to highlight any other human rights issues.
“We remain convinced that football is for everyone.”
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It comes after the first week of the tournament was marred by FIFA’s handling of LGBTQ+ symbols.
The governing body has threatened to book team captains who wear a pro-inclusivity OneLove armband.
All eyes will be on the players from Wales and England to see if they follow Germany’s example and come out on top ahead of the game.
German players covered their mouths in a team photo ahead of their 2-1 loss to Japan to show ‘FIFA is silencing us’ by ending attempts to wear OneLove armbands in the colors of the club ‘Rainbow.
Boss of England Gareth Southgate did not rule out his team making a gesture ahead of their game against the United States to highlight human rights concerns, but said they would not be pressured to do so.
This match will start at 7 p.m. at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.
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Seven European nations participating in the World Cup – including Germany, England and Wales – planned to wear OneLove anti-discrimination armbands during the tournament, but were dissuaded following the threat of sporting sanctions from FIFA.
Southgate said: “I think we have to be comfortable knowing what we stand for.
“That’s not to say we won’t do anything moving forward if the time is right, but I think we’re rushing to be seen doing something, we might make a mistake that doesn’t land. good.”
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Hats and rainbow flags should never have been confiscated from football fans, said FAW chief executive Neil Mooney.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said the FAW was “appalled” to hear that rainbow bucket hats were being taken from supporters and staff in Qatar.
He said the FAW had written to FIFA and stressed that they had been “promised to have an open and inclusive World Cup”.
“Luckily they came back for the past few hours, writing to say that our fans will be able to wear rainbow-related clothing tomorrow, including bucket hats,” he said.
“We are happy that the fans can do this. It should never have been the case that they were confiscated in the first place.
“We have in writing from FIFA that they can wear whatever they want.”
