World Cup 'Pride' match in Seattle faces pushback from Egypt, Iran

Egypt and Iran, two Middle East nations which target gays and lesbians, have complained to FIFA over a World Cup soccer match in Seattle that is planned to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride.

Leaders in the nation's soccer federations publicly rebuked the idea of playing the match on 26 June at Seattle Stadium, which local organisers say will include a "once-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in Washington."

In Egypt, the soccer federation issued a statement late Tuesday saying it sent a letter to FIFA "categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match."

Seattle PrideFest has been organised in the city since 2007 by a nonprofit, which designated the 26 June game for celebration before FIFA made the World Cup draw on Friday.

FIFA chose Saturday to allocate the Egypt-Iran game to Seattle instead of Vancouver, where the teams' group rivals Belgium and New Zealand will play at the same time.

Already, organisers in Seattle have promoted an art contest for the game, including one entry of a rainbow-flagged sun rising over Mount Rainier as a crab goalie goes for a soccer ball while holding a cup of coffee in its pinchers.

"With matches on Juneteenth and pride, we get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome," Seattle's Mayor-elect Kate Wilson wrote on social media. "What an incredible honor!"

FIFA controls only stadiums and official fan zones in World Cup host cities and should have no formal authority over community events like Seattle PrideFest.

FIFA declined to comment to the Associated Press and did not address a question of whether it would consider switching the Belgium-New Zealand game to Seattle.

Angry response in Iran, Egypt

In Iran, where gays and lesbians can face the death penalty, the president of Iran's Football Federation Mehdi Taj criticised scheduling the match during an interview aired on state television late Monday.

Taj said Iran would bring up the issue during a FIFA Council meeting in Qatar next week. The longest-serving member of the 37-person council chaired by FIFA President Gianni Infantino is Egypt's Hany Abo Rida.

"Both Egypt and we have objected, because this is an unreasonable and illogical move that essentially signals support for a particular group, and we must definitely address this point," Taj said. State TV on Tuesday confirmed a complaint would be sent to FIFA.

The Egypt soccer federation led by Ado Rida said of the pride celebration it "completely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies."

It urged FIFA to stop the celebration to "avoid activities that may trigger cultural and religious sensitivity between the presented spectators of both countries, Egypt and Iran, especially as such activities contradict the cultures and religions of the two countries."

Iran had threatened to boycott the World Cup draw in Washington, DC over complaints about five of its nine-person delegation, including Taj, not getting visas to enter the United States.

Iranians are subject to a travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump's administration and the US in the past has denied visas for those with ties to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, like Taj. Iran ended up sending a smaller delegation including the team's coach.

Tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington over Iran's nuclear program, particularly after American warplanes bombed atomic sites in the country during Israel's 12-day war with the Islamic Republic in June. Unlike the 2022 World Cup, however, Iran is not scheduled to play the United States in the World Cup's opening matches.

Seattle's response

Asked about the complaint Wednesday, Seattle's organising committee said it was "moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament."

"The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation's largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora and rich communities representing all nations we're hosting in Seattle," spokesperson Hana Tadesse said in a statement. "We're committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect and dignity that defines our region."

Iran, Egypt target LGBTQ+ community

For years, Egyptian police have targeted gays and lesbians, sparking warnings even from the app Grindr in the past. Though Egypt technically does not outlaw homosexuality, authorities frequently prosecute members of the LGBTQ+ community on the grounds of "debauchery," or "violating public decency."

Iran also has targeted the LGBTQ community and its theocracy is believed to have executed thousands of people for their sexuality since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Hard-line former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once famously went as far as to claim during a 2007 visit to the United States: "We don't have homosexuals like in your country." A crowd at Columbia University responded by laughing and heckling the leader.

FIFA dilemma

FIFA risks being accused of a double standard if it sides with World Cup teams' federations over the city of Seattle.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA fiercely defended the right of the host nation's cultural norms to be respected in full by visiting teams.

A group of European federations wanted their team captains to wear a "One Love" armband with some rainbow colours that symbolised human rights and diversity, which FIFA and Qatari officials viewed in part as criticism of the emirate's criminalisation of same-sex relations. Some Wales fans had rainbow hats removed before entering the stadium.

Qatar also will play in Seattle at the World Cup, on 24 June against a European opponent which could be Italy or Wales.