DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
Leaders in the nation\u2019s soccer federations publicly rebuked the idea of playing the match June 26 at Seattle Stadium, which local organizers say will include a \u201conce-in-a-lifetime moment to showcase and celebrate LGBTQIA+ communities in Washington.\u201d <\/p>\n
In Egypt, the soccer federation issued a statement late Tuesday saying it sent a letter to FIFA \u201ccategorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seattle PrideFest<\/a> has been organized in the city since 2007 by a nonprofit which designated the June 26 game for celebration before FIFA made the World Cup draw Friday<\/a>. <\/p>\n FIFA chose Saturday to allocate the Egypt-Iran game to Seattle instead of Vancouver, where the teams\u2019 group rivals Belgium and New Zealand will play at the same time. <\/p>\n Already, organizers 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. <\/p>\n \u201cWith matches on Juneteenth and pride, we get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome,\u201d Seattle\u2019s Mayor-elect Kate Wilson wrote on social media. \u201cWhat an incredible honor!\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n FIFA declined comment Tuesday to the Associated Press, and did not address a question if it would consider switching the Belgium-New Zealand game to Seattle.<\/p>\n Angry response in Iran, Egypt<\/p>\n In Iran, where gays and lesbians can face the death penalty, the president of Iran\u2019s Football Federation Mehdi Taj criticized scheduling the match<\/a> during an interview aired on state television late Monday. <\/p>\n 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\u2019s Hany Abo Rida.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth 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,\u201d Taj said. State TV on Tuesday confirmed a complaint would be sent to FIFA.<\/p>\n The Egypt soccer federation led by Ado Rida said of the pride celebration it \u201ccompletely rejects such activities, which directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies.\u201d<\/p>\n It urged FIFA to stop the celebration to \u201cavoid 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Iranians are subject to a travel ban<\/a> imposed by President Donald Trump\u2019s administration and the U.S. in the past has denied visas for those with ties to Iran\u2019s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, like Taj. Iran ended up sending a smaller delegation including the team\u2019s coach. <\/p>\n Tensions remain high between Tehran and Washington over Iran\u2019s nuclear program, particularly after American warplanes bombed atomic sites<\/a> in the country during Israel\u2019s 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\u2019s opening matches. <\/p>\n Seattle\u2019s response<\/p>\n Asked about the complaint Wednesday, Seattle\u2019s organizing committee said it was \u201cmoving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThe Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation\u2019s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora and rich communities representing all nations we\u2019re hosting in Seattle,\u201d spokesperson Hana Tadesse said in a statement. \u201cWe\u2019re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect and dignity that defines our region.\u201d <\/p>\n Iran, Egypt target LGBTQ+ community<\/p>\n For years, Egyptian police have targeted gays and lesbians, sparking warnings even from the app Grindr in the past<\/a>. Though Egypt technically does not outlaw homosexuality, authorities frequently prosecute members of the LGBTQ+ community on the grounds of \u201cdebauchery,\u201d or \u201cviolating public decency.\u201d<\/p>\n 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: \u201cWe don\u2019t have homosexuals like in your country.\u201d A crowd at Columbia University responded by laughing and heckling the leader. <\/p>\n FIFA dilemma<\/p>\n FIFA risks being accused of a double standard if it sides with World Cup teams\u2019 federations over the city of Seattle.<\/p>\n At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA fiercely defended<\/a> the right of the host nation\u2019s cultural norms to be respected in full by visiting teams.<\/p>\n A group of European federations wanted their team captains to wear a \u201cOne Love\u201d armband<\/a> with some rainbow colors that symbolized human rights and diversity, which FIFA and Qatari officials viewed in part as criticism of the emirate criminalizing same-sex relations. Some Wales fans had rainbow hats removed<\/a> before entering the stadium.<\/p>\n Qatar also will play in Seattle at the World Cup, on June 24 against a European opponent which could be Italy or Wales.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this report<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n