The Iranian Football Federation announced it has jointly appealed to FIFA with Egypt to prevent LGBTQ Pride symbols at tomorrow's World Cup match in Seattle — a game local organizers had designated a Pride Match. FIFA has said Pride flags will be allowed under tournament rules.
The Iranian Football Federation announced Friday it has submitted a joint request with Egypt to FIFA, demanding a ban on LGBTQ Pride symbols at the Iran-Egypt World Cup match scheduled for Saturday in Seattle. Local organizers had designated the match as a 'Pride Match' as part of the city's Pride weekend festivities.
The move marks a coordinated diplomatic push by Tehran and Cairo, two countries with state-level opposition to LGBTQ rights. According to the Iranian announcement, both federations submitted a joint objection to FIFA against any Pride-related activities or promotional events during the game.
FIFA has previously confirmed that Pride flags will be permitted in the stadium under the tournament's regulations, regardless of the joint protest, as The Zioneer reported Thursday. The governing body clarified the designation was a local Seattle initiative and not a FIFA program. The match is the latest in a series of World Cup games in this tournament to become a flashpoint over Iranian regime symbols and LGBTQ rights.
2 developments
- DevelopingFIFA allows Pride flags at Iran-Egypt World Cup match despite protests
- StrongFIFA Removes Israeli Flag From Fan at World Cup Venue, Leaves Palestinian and Iranian Flags in Place
- DevelopingIranian diaspora fans wave monarchy-era flag at Los Angeles World Cup match
- DevelopingIranian figures claim flag hoisted on US soil as symbolic victory
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- Internal intake