Egypt’s Football Association has urged FIFA to prevent any LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities during the national team’s World Cup match against Iran in Seattle next June.
The EFA argued that the planned celebrations would clash with the cultural and religious values of the nations participating in the match.
The fixture on June 26 has been designated by local organisers as a ‘Pride Match’ to coincide with Seattle’s Pride weekend.
The two nations involved in the match – Egypt and Iran – impose severe penalties on LGBTQ+ people.
Reports said the plans, which include LGBTQ+ celebrations and artwork displays around the stadium and across Seattle, were drawn up before the tournament draw confirmed the Group G fixture.
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In its letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom, the EFA said it ‘categorically rejects any activities promoting LGBTQ during the match,’ warning that such events could ‘provoke cultural and religious sensitivities among fans.’
‘These activities directly conflict with the cultural, religious and social values of the region, particularly in Arab and Islamic societies,’ the EFA wrote.
‘While FIFA is committed to ensuring a respectful environment that welcomes all fans, it is essential to avoid activities that could spark tension or misunderstanding between supporters from Egypt and Iran.’
‘We call on FIFA to guarantee that the match takes place in an atmosphere focused solely on sport and free from displays that contradict the beliefs of the participating nations.’
The EFA said its position was based on FIFA’s statutes, ‘specifically Article 4, which emphasizes neutrality in political and social matters during FIFA competitions,’ and on disciplinary regulations that require tournaments to remain free of ‘manifestations that could cause tension or conflict among fans.’
In Iran, same-sex relations can carry the death penalty, while in Egypt morality laws are often used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people.
The head of Iran’s Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, was quoted by local news agency ISNA as saying that Tehran and Cairo had both raised ‘objections against the issue’, which he labelled an ‘irrational move that supports a certain group’.
Taj did not mention the specific branding of the fixture.
On Monday, Iranian state television said Tehran would ‘appeal’ to FIFA over the matter.
The event is organised by the local committee and is not affiliated with FIFA.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Fifa threatened yellow cards for players wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights, prompting teams including England and Wales to abandon plans to use it.
