It’s always concerning from my perspective when we see any restrictions on freedom of expression. It’s especially so when the expression is for diversity and for inclusion,” said Blinken. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also criticized the sport’s world governing body for its stance on the armbands.

I had a conversation about this with stewards – we have video evidence. This #WorldCup2022 just gets better but we will continue to stand up for our values,” added McAllister. And in my judgment, at least, no one on the football pitch should be forced to choose between supporting these values and playing for their team,” Blinken told reporters while speaking in Doha on Tuesday.When asked about standing up for the LGBTQ community, Wahl said: “It’s really important to me and it’s not required by any stretch of the imagination. In the buildup to the World Cup, Qatar – where sex between men is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison in the country – has come under criticism for its stance on LGBTQ rights.

In a faraway place, right at the end of the rainbow, there is a magical kingdom called Rainbow Land, where all the colours of the earth are created! Living in this wonderful place is the fabulous Rainbow Brite along with her best friend, the magical flying horse, Starlite. Together with the Colour Kids, their mission is to bring colour and happiness to people everywhere.So, I was thinking about all of those people yesterday. I was thinking about Colorado Springs. I was thinking all sorts of stuff. And if I have to be detained for 30 minutes, it’s kind of annoying. But it’s not an issue for me. And so I was glad to at least help out a little bit.” Writer and producer Fran Tirado, who has worked on LGBTQ+ strategy at Netflix, Out and Vice, says that while advocating for queer and trans communities has become a corporate norm, it’s often just lip service. “All companies are doing it so much every June that now brands are called out when they don’t do something for Pride. Understanding that, why have corporations not really changed their strategy at all when it comes to Pride?” he said. “They’ve been doing the same thing for decades. The way companies conceive Pride campaigns is such a failure of the imagination.” Want to relive those Star Sprinkle-filled memories? Our exclusive range of official Rainbow Brite t-shirts, jumpers and accessories are sure to make your inner child jump for joy.

The hat in question is sold by The Rainbow Wall, a self-described LGBTQ+ Supporters Group for the Wales national teams. I’ve got family members who are gay. I’ve got friends who are gay. I’ve got journalist friends who are gay who are here in Qatar. But you don’t need that to be supportive, to be an ally.

They were insistent that unless I took the hat off we weren’t actually allowed to come into the stadium,” McAllister said in the interview with ITV. Wahl told CNN on Tueday that he had been given assurances beforehand that he would be allowed to wear rainbow-decorated clothing and that he “probably will” wear the shirt again as he has “no fear here about any of this.” England's Harry Kane and several other European captains told not to wear 'OneLove' armband at World Cup