Tuesday 29 November 2022 08:00 PM World Cup: Openly gay Sports Minister Stuart Andrew wears OneLove armband at ... trends now
The UK's sports minister Stuart Andrew, who is openly gay, is wearing the OneLove armband for the highly anticipated Battle of Britain World Cup match this evening.
Mr Andrew was pictured in the stands of Qatar's Ahmed bin Ali Stadium alongside Welsh economy minister Vaughan Gething and Secretary David Davies on Tuesday night as the game got underway.
Wearing a rainbow tie, his armband and his identifying documentation on a lanyard, Mr Andrew jumped to his feet and clapped in a box at the stadium.
Earlier, he said he felt it was his duty to take a stand against Qatar's homosexuality laws, but seriously considered boycotting the tournament.
He said: 'These games should be a celebration show and for all football fans to enjoy. But sadly so many of them are feeling that these are not.
Wearing a rainbow tie, his armband and his identifying documentation on a lanyard, Mr Andrew jumped to his feet and clapped in a box at the stadium
Mr Andrew was pictured alongside Welsh economy minister Vaughan Gething (left) and Secretary David Davies (centre) on Tuesday night as the game got underway
'This is not a tournament for them. I met with LGBT football supporters, and it was really distressing to see actually how emotional they got that they couldn't be. They didn't feel they could be part of this and that is not acceptable.'
Mr Andrew told the Evening Standard he felt he had a 'responsibility' to attend, but would not pander to the nation's divisive views.
His stance appears at odds with that of Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who was strongly criticised last month for urging gay fans to show a 'little bit of flex and compromise' and to 'respect the culture of your host nation'.
Mr Gething, who is in Qatar promoting Wales and its business interests at the World Cup, wore a rainbow lanyard as a show of support.
He earlier said: 'I'm often seen walking around the Senedd wearing this badge or my lanyard, it's a regular feature. And for me it's about allyship.
Mr Andrew said he felt he had a 'responsibility' to attend, but would not pander to the nation's divisive views
Earlier, he said he felt it was his duty to take a stand against Qatar's homosexuality laws, but seriously considered
