UK Minister Tells LGBTQ Soccer Fans To 'Be Respectful' At Qatar World Cup

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly triggered a barrage of criticism Wednesday for telling soccer fans to “be respectful” of Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ culture when the World Cup kicks off there next month.

Cleverly, a member of the ruling Conservative party, said on LBC Radio that he has spoken to Qatari authorities about how gay fans will be treated. He said the Qatari authorities are aware “they are going to have to make some compromises” with regard to their “very different set of cultural norms.”

“They want to make sure that football fans are safe, secure and enjoy themselves,” Cleverly said.

“One of the things I would say to football fans is please do be respectful of the host nation,” he went on. “They will try ― they are trying ― to ensure people can be themselves and enjoy the football. And I think with a little bit of flex and compromise at both ends, it can be a safe, secure and exciting World Cup.”

Qatar was selected in 2010 to host the quadrennial tournament in spite of human rights concerns, including over its treatment of LGBTQ people. The country criminalizes same-sex relationships, although it is not clear how that law has been enforced in recent years, as British advocacy group Human Dignity Trust noted.

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