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American soccer reporter Grant Wahl claimed he was refused entry to a World Cup stadium in Qatar for wearing a rainbow shirt.
The World Cup in Qatar has faced criticism for 'sportswashing' due to the host nation's poor human rights record, in particular the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community.
In Qatar, male homosexuality is punishable by a prison sentence and same-sex marriages are not recognized by the government.
As recently as this month, a Qatar World Cup ambassador told a German TV broadcaster that homosexuality was 'damage to the mind', and it remains illegal to be gay in the conservative Muslim country.
Wahl was attending the USA's first game of the World Cup against Wales on Monday and wore a black t-shirt with a circle in the colors of the rainbow wrapping around a soccer ball on the front, in presumably a protest against the host nation's homophobic laws.
He took to Twitter to claim that he was initially refused entry to the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
American soccer reporter Grant Wahl claimed he was refused entry to a World Cup stadium in Qatar for wearing a rainbow t-shirt ahead of the US's opener against Wales Monday
Wahl later revealed that he was finally granted entry to the media center after being detained for almost half an hour and reassured social media users that he was okay
The USA kickstarts its campaign at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan at 2pm ET
He posted: 'Just now: Security guard refusing to let me into the stadium for USA-Wales. “You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.”'
Around 50 minutes later he posted again to reassure fans and social media users, revealing that he had been detained for almost half an hour.
He added: 'I’m OK, but that was an unnecessary ordeal. Am in the media center, still wearing my shirt. Was detained for nearly half an hour. Go gays.'
Christian Pulisic and Co.'s opener against the Dragons kicks off at 2pm ET Monday.
Wahl's tweet comes amid yet another scandal to hit the tournament after FIFA revealed that team captains could face a booking and potential suspension if they go through with their decision to wear the OneLove rainbow armband in a mark of solidarity for the LGBT+ community.
Captains of nine European nations, including USA's Group B rivals England's Harry Kane and Wales' Gareth Bale, were planning to wear the One Love armbands promoting inclusivity and read more from dailymail.....
