Qatar 2022 head of security: If a fan raised an LGBT flag here, they may be attacked

Speaking to the AP, Abdullah al-Nasari, head of security for the 2022 World Cup, said: "If a fan raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it's not because I really want to, really, take it, to really insult him, but to protect him.

"Because if it's not me, somebody else around him might attack them. I cannot guarantee the behaviour of the whole people. And I will tell them: 'Please, no need to really raise that flag at this point.'

"You want to demonstrate your view about the [LGBTQ+] situation, demonstrate it in a society where it will be accepted. Watch the game. That's good. But don't really come in and insult the whole society because of this."

The World Cup in Qatar is set to go ahead in November despite the country's poor record when it comes to human rights and LGBTQ+ communities.

Speaking earlier this month, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that 'everyone will see that 'everyone is welcome in Qatar, even if we speak about LGBTQ.'

Source: AP