October 19 – The United States expects “patience and tolerance” from Qatari authorities when the Gulf state welcomes hundreds of thousands of fans to the World Cup next month.
Qatar has been criticised for its handling of migrant workers as well as its record on women’s rights and treatment of the LGBTQ community.
“We want to make sure that… there is a level of patience and tolerance for what the world brings when you invite the world to your country,” US ambassador to Qatar Timmy Davis told a group of reporters.
FIFA has stressed that LGBTQ rainbow flags will be allowed in stadiums. But tournament organisers have not publicly clarified their approach to policing, and the U.S. Embassy and others have told fans they could face punishment for behaviour that would be tolerated elsewhere.
Davis said Qatar understands that when “you invite the world to come, you need to be open to the world, and you need to be transparent in the way that you are going to take care of visitors.”
“When you host a global sporting event, all people should be able to come here, enjoy the event and not be bothered in that process.”
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