Iran and Egypt complain to FIFA over World Cup 'Pride Match'

by · Mail Online

Iran and Egypt have complained to FIFA after Seattle designated their World Cup game as a ‘Pride Match’.

The fixture, between two countries in which homosexuality is outlawed, is meant to honour the LGBTQ+ community in the liberal city and the clash was pencilled in before it was known which sides would be involved.

Due to take place on June 26, it coincides with Seattle’s Pride Weekend.

However, the federations of each Muslim country have now contacted FIFA to express their opposition, in what is a growing, diplomatic incident more than six months out from tournament kick-off.

Iranian Football Federation President Mehdi Taj condemned the move as ‘unreasonable conduct that supports a specific group’ in an interview with state television, adding that both Tehran and Cairo have communicated their objections to FIFA.

In Egypt’s case, the country’s football association sent an official letter to FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström saying it ‘completely rejects’ any initiatives ‘related to supporting homosexuality’ during the fixture, which it says ‘are directly contrary to cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies’.

Plans to mark LGBTQ+ Pride Month will be carried out at the World Cup next year - at a match between two teams with anti-gay laws (Egypt pictured) 
Iran explicitly criminalises homosexual relationships, with the maximum penalty being the death sentence, while in Egypt a law against 'debauchery' has been used against gay people

They added: ‘The Egyptian Federation categorically rejects those invitations and calls on FIFA not to hold any events or offers related to homosexual support events inside the stadium on the day of the match’.

Iran has taken a similar stance, claiming that the move is a violation of FIFA rules which prohibit political, religious or ideological messaging inside stadiums.

The situation has echoes of the controversy at the Qatar World Cup, where FIFA banned the ‘OneLove’ armband - intended as a symbol against discrimination.

FIFA have been contacted for comment.