Iran, Egypt denounce ‘Pride Match’ branding of World Cup fixture
The football governing bodies of Iran and Egypt have denounced local organizers’ decision to brand the two Muslim countries’ fixture at next summer’s FIFA World Cup as the “Pride Match” in support of the “LGBTQ+” community, which represents sexual and gender minorities.
The two teams will go head-to-head at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on June 26 in their final game in Group G, which also features Belgium and New Zealand.
The organizing committee in Seattle had previously announced its intention to hold celebrations before and during one of the World Cup matches coinciding with the northwestern city’s Pride Weekend in late June.
The game takes place two days before the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, widely regarded as the beginning of the modern “LGBTQ+ rights” movement.
Speaking to Iranian state television on Monday night, Mahdi Taj, the chairman of the Iranian Football Federation, said Tehran and Cairo had both raised “objections against the issue,” which he blamed as an “irrational move that supports a certain group.”
The Seattle committee’s website notes that the initiative is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA, which famously banned teams competing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from wearing “OneLove” armbands demonstrating support for LGBTI+ rights.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Egyptian Football Association said it has sent a formal letter to FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom, rejecting “in absolute terms” any activities linked to “LGBTQ+” support during the match.
The lengthy Egyptian FA statement claimed the initiative would clash with “the cultural, religious and social values” of both Egypt and Iran, and urged Fifa to ensure the match would remain focused solely on football.
It cited FIFA’s statutes on political and social neutrality, arguing matches should not be used to promote causes that are “sensitive or of a contentious nature.”
The statement read: “The Egyptian Football Association explained in the letter that, while FIFA is committed to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all fans, and in order to maintain the spirit of unity and peace, it is necessary to avoid including activities that could provoke cultural and religious sensitivities between fans present from both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially since such activities are culturally and religiously incompatible with the two countries.
“The federation also relied on FIFA’s established principle of respecting cultures and encouraging all parties to organize events in a way that respects the beliefs and identities of the participating communities.
“Therefore, in order to ensure that the match is held in an atmosphere of respect and focus solely on the sporting aspect, the Egyptian Federation categorically rejects these calls and demands that FIFA not hold any events or performances related to supporting homosexuality inside the stadium on matchday.”
The latest controversy comes only days after Iran had to be represented by a limited delegation – including Team Melli head coach Amir Qalenoei – at Friday’s World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., due to the United States’ refusal to issue entry visas for several Iranian officials, including Taj.
Taj said the country will have to adopt contingency plans, given that its geopolitical foe may deny entry to members of Iran’s squad ahead of June’s tournament.
“We will be ready for different scenarios, as individuals who have completed military service in an organization not approved by the U.S. might face the same issues. We need to have backups for any player who is not granted an entry visa.
“We have filed a complaint with FIFA, and I personally spoke with Mr. Grafström in Qatar regarding the matter. FIFA could have taken a firmer stance against the United States, and we expect it to do so if this happens again,” Taj said.
Iran will kick off its World Cup campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15, before facing European heavyweight Belgium at the same venue six days later.