A BBC cameraman has been refused entry to England 's game at the Al Bayt stadium for wearing a rainbow watch strap.
Press and media are arriving for the Three Lions' second game of the World Cup, which will see them take on the USA. Hosts Qatar had been urged to take a softer stance on their cultural norms, which prohibits homosexuality, for the tournament, but the authorities have, so far, not done so.
There have been numerous instances of rainbow-themed objects being confiscated from stadiums or resulted in fans being denied entry. These includes hats, armbands and flags - with watch straps now seemingly added to the list. BBC's Natalie Pirks took to social media to share how her colleague wasn't allowed entry.
She said: "Just arrived at the Al Bayt stadium for England’s game and my cameraman, wearing the rainbow coloured watch strap his son got him, was stopped by security and refused entry. Clearly the message from FIFA is STILL not getting through. Infuriating."
A Wales fan earlier in the tournament was not allowed to wear a rainbow coloured bucket hat into the stadium before their game with the USA. This prompted FIFA to have talks with Qatar, according to The Guardian, and remind them of its pledges before the tournament that everyone was welcome and rainbow flags would be allowed.
Despite that, there seems to be another instance of rainbow-themed objects not being green lighted by the Qatari authorities. England were among several nations who were told, at the eleventh hour, that they would not be allowed to wear the One Love armband as they'd hoped.
Skipper Harry Kane was threatened with a yellow card if he wore won, which was enough to put the team off doing so - a move that has copped plenty of criticism. Gareth Southgate claimed they must time their gesture right amid growing calls for England to make a statement.
He said: "I think we've got to be comfortable that we know what we stand for. That's not to say we won't do anything moving forward if the timing's right, but I think we are rushing to be seen to be doing something, we could make an error that doesn't land well."
Germany, prior to their game with Japan earlier this week, opted to cover their mouths in a team photo in protest. Several players also wore rainbow laces as their football authorities seek legal advice on whether FIFA were allowed to stop them wearing the armband.
A statement from the German FA read: “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect.
"Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard. It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable.
“That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us.
“Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position.”
