Qatar Warns LGBT Groups That Public Display Of Actions Will Not Be Acceptable In The Arabic Country.

• "Don’t come and insult an entire society” – Qatar warns LGBT supporters ahead of 2022 World Cup.

• The 2022 FIFA World Cup host nation Qatar has warned that Rainbow flags could be taken from fans at the World Cup tournament to protect them from being attacked for promoting gay rights reports.

With the time counting down to the start of the World biggest sporting event, the Qatari authorities have warned supporters of the LGBT cause.

Questions and concerns had continue to arise about the safety of LGBT fans and players during the event since the World Football's governing body (FIFA) announced that the 2022 World Cup would be held in Qatar, a country where homosexuality is reportedly punished with up to seven years in prison, plus a fine. Muslims in the country, under Sharia law, can be punished with the death penalty.

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A senior Qatari leader overseeing security for the tournament Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari, has said that persons of all sexual orientations are welcome to attend matches in Qatar, but cautioned against public display of actions that are not acceptable in the Arabic country, and this is for the fans safety.

"You want to demonstrate your view about the (LGBTQ) situation, demonstrate it in a society where it will be accepted… We cannot change the laws or our religion for a 28-day tournament," he told the Associated Press.

"We realize that this man got the ticket, comes here to watch the game, not to demonstrate, a political (act) or something which is in his mind.”

Al Ansari who is the director of the Department of International Cooperation and also doubles as the Chairman of the National Counter terrorism Committee at the Ministry of Interior, further warned LGBTQ+ groups against raising rainbow flags or demonstrating for their rights during the World Cup.

According to him, the safety of gay groups that try to demonstrate in the stands during the World Cup cannot be guaranteed.

“If he (a fan) raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it's not because I really want to, really, take it, to really insult him, but to protect him,” he said.

"Because if it's not me, somebody else around him might attack (him)... I cannot guarantee the behaviour of the whole people. And I will tell him: 'Please, no need to really raise that flag at this point.'"

“Watch the game. That’s good. But don’t really come in and insult the whole society because of this.” he added.

Despite describing the Pride flag as an “insult” to Qatari society, Al Ansari insisted that he was not telling LGBTQ fans to stay away from Qatar or warning them about potential prosecution, but for safety reasons.

“Reserve the room together, sleep together – this is something that’s not in our concern,” he said.

“We are here to manage the tournament. Let’s not go beyond, the individual personal things which might be happening between these people.”

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Qatar Police announce that they will remove all LGBT flags from Qatar 2022 World Cup venues, but to keep and "protect" them. 😂
Excellent idea, if you see any degenerate flags around your area, "protect" them.😂 pic.twitter.com/bd1LMTDXj5

— Maria P (@damadanoite14) April 14, 2022

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had said earlier in the week in Doha that “everyone will see that everyone is welcome here in Qatar, even if we speak about LGBTQ.”

The world biggest sporting event is set to kick-start on  November 21 to December 18 later this year.