Iran and Egypt have asked FIFA to review why their World Cup group-stage match was scheduled for 26 June in Seattle, where local organisers plan activities tied to the city’s LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations.
The game, part of Group G, was set during last week’s World Cup draw.
Seattle’s PrideFest, which usually attracts more than 200,000 people, takes place on 27 and 28 June, but the local organising committee has said the match itself will include a “once-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in Washington.”
In Iran, where same-sex relationships can carry severe penalties, the president of Iran’s Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, criticised the venue choice and timing. He told Iranian state TV: “Both Egypt and we have objected, because this is an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point.” He said Iran plans to raise the matter at a FIFA Council meeting in Qatar next week.
Egypt’s football federation also said in a statement that it had written to FIFA “categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran.” The letter added that it “completely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies.”
In Seattle, the local organising committee said it is “moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament,” noting it had already launched an art contest linked to the event. It added: “We get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome.”
Seattle PrideFest has been held since 2007 by a nonprofit group that selected the 26 June match for celebration before the World Cup draw was conducted. On Saturday, FIFA assigned the Egypt–Iran fixture to Seattle instead of Vancouver, where Belgium and New Zealand will play at the same time.
According to Sky News, FIFA has been asked for comment.
(Sky News)
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