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4 days to go! Rainbow flags may be taken to protect fans, Qatari official

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Police Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari talks during and interview with The Associated Press in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Al Ansari, who is overseeing security for the World Cup, said that rainbow flags could be taken off supporters to protect them from being attacked for promoting gay rights. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)


Rainbow flags could be taken from fans at the World Cup in Qatar to protect them from being attacked for promoting gay rights, a senior leader overseeing security for the tournament told The Associated Press.

Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari insisted that LGBTQ couples would be welcomed and accepted in Qatar for the Nov. 21-Dec. 18 FIFA showpiece despite same-sex relations remaining criminalized in the conservative Gulf nation.

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